died Monday, June 8 in Mitchell
Rodney Arlen Menking was born June 29th, 1934. He was adopted by Dorothy and Rupert Menking and was raised in Blair, Nebraska. Besides enjoying sports, he had a flair for tap dance and boxing. He graduated from High School in 1953 and served as a clerk in the Korean War. After the war, Rodney attended Nebraska State College in Kearney where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education. His focus was Biology and Physical Education. While in college he was a three-year letterman in football. Upon graduation in 1960 he was employed at the Fremont Public schools, where his career spanned teaching junior high geology and coaching for 35 years. During in-service meetings in 1960, he pursued Janice E. Salmon and they wed on April 29th, 1961. Out of their union they had two children.
Rodney's most enjoyable moments were spent outdoors, he not only jogged and swam but also worked in various National Parks as a summer Seasonal Naturalist. His career in the Park Service included the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier, Guadalupe and Casas Grande National Monument. He was fondly called Ranger Rod.
Rodney was known for his love for Jesus, and deep faith. He was active in First Christian church where he taught Sunday school, served on the church board, was a deacon, and sang in the church choir. Later in life he and his wife attended the First Congregational church. He is survived by his wife Jan Menking (Mitchell, SD), daughter and husband, Renee and Tom Berg (Mitchell, SD), son and wife Scott Menking and Carmella Lieske (Matsue, Japan). Two grandchildren Collin and wife Amanda Berg (Tulsa, OK), and Leah Berg (Mitchell, SD).
The funeral will be 10am Saturday at the First Congregational Church, UCC in Fremont. Burial will follow in Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 3pm to 8pm with the family receiving friends from 6pm to 8pm at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel in Fremont.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Condolences(8)
Lee and Janet
Mesa,, AZ Friday, July 10, 2015 Jan and family,Thinking of you and want you to know how much we enjoyed our times togetherb.both in Fremont and AZ. It was always enjoyable spending time with you two. Know you will miss Rod, he was a great friend. God's Blessings to all of you.
Love and Prayers, Lee and Janet
larry henderson
carlsbad, NM Thursday, June 25, 2015 Rod was a wonderful friend and associate as a seasonal Park Ranger Naturalist, beginning in the summer of 1967, at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.He and his family were our family friends up to his recent death, and we worked together again at Guadalupe Mountains National Park, and visited their summer locations, as well as their home over the decades. He was a good story teller and educator, and served not only his students for 35 years, but thousands of National Park visitors over the decades in the various park settings he chose as summer jobs. Blessings to wife Jan and his family. Larry and Signe Henderson
Rhonda cain echner
Estacada, OR Thursday, June 11, 2015 I enjoyed him being my teacher at the junior high late 60's fantastic teacher it was a pleasure to know a awesome person he was the type of teacher listened and explain rip mr menking job well doneChester Koza
San Antonio, TX Thursday, June 11, 2015 Rod was a wonderful friend and a great teacher. He was completely devoted to his students and worked most diligently to provide them the very best education he could. It was a pleasure and an inspiration working with him, and I shall truly miss him. My thoughts and prayers are certainly with you all.Jim Finley
Fremont, NE Thursday, June 11, 2015 My sympathies to your family. Your dad/husband was a great, hardworking guy. He will be missed.;Betty Widman
Mitchell, SD Thursday, June 11, 2015Thinking of you Renee and Tom.
Betty
Gregg Kupfer
Omaha, NE Thursday, June 11, 2015 Never had Mr, Menking as a teacher or coach, but always new him to be a very genuine, caring person. He was the kind of gentile strength that more young, male teachers need to possess. For that you will be greatly missed. This is my chance to also thank you for visiting the funeral home and signing the guestbook after my brother Pud passed in 2000. Respectfully-Gregg KupferTodd R. Harding
Meridian, ID Wednesday, June 10, 2015 some of my best memories of jr high was in your class. Ty. My prayers and thoughts are with your entire family.. God has another angel.... God Bless and Ty for your teachings... I shall pray for your family for strength and guidance to get through this loss. You will be missed!!!God bless in Gods name Amen....