Dr Dave's maternal grandfather, Oscar Menke (1888-1972) was the 3rd son of Henry Menke. His sister, Lillian Menke (1894-1984), was the only surviving daughter of Henry John Menke (1854-1911) and Philippina Ottwein Menke (1861-1937), and was born in St Louis.
Lillian was a fun-loving, and mischievous young lady. She got married in 1917 to a man named Joseph Doerr (1890-1966), a dental supply agent. Most of the Bavarian China that was a wedding gift to them in 1917 is now owned by Dr Dave Menke.
Lillian and Joe had a good life, but no children, as Joe Doerr was sterile. He had spent too much time around dental x-ray equipment, and it fried his balls.
Lillian and Joseph left St Louis in the late 1940's and moved to Los Angeles, where they could enjoy sunnier skies and warmer winters. They were close to Lillian's brother, Walter Menke (1897-1967) as they both lived in Los Angeles. In fact, when Walter Menke passed away, he left most of his estate to Lillian. Thus, she was a rather wealthy woman.
After almost 50 years of marriage, Joseph died, and a few years later, in 1972, Lillian married widower Lee Smith (1892-1982). They were married by a Mormon Bishop. That marriage ended in Lee's death in 1982, and she passed two years later. Lillian left most of her estate to her surviving brother, Harry A Menke (1902-1988).
Friday, January 2, 2009
Biopic of Fred A Menke
Dr Dave's maternal grandfather, Oscar Menke (1888-1972) was the 3rd son of Henry Menke. His older brother, Fred A. Menke (1885-1960), was the 2nd son of Henry John Menke (1854-1911) and Philippina Ottwein Menke (1861-1937), and was born in St Louis in 1885.
Fred was a friendly old soul, and everyone liked him. When he grew up, he got a job as an insurance salesman, and that's where he stayed until he retired. Later in life, he always played "Santa Claus" for all the Menke family during Christmas.
Fred met and married a lady named Kate Macklin (1890-1954) and they had two children. Russell Menke (1914-1917), the first child, was said to be a beautiful child who could "swear like a drunken sailor." Sadly, he caught scarlet fever and died before he was three years old. At that point, Fred and Kate decided to have no more children, as the pain of loss was so great. However, Fred's wife, Kate, got pregnant again, and she did all that she could to abort the child. To no avail, Marvin Menke was born when his mother was in her 40's in 1935. As it turned out, Marvin Menke (1935-1988) was always a little "slow." As no professional psychologist or psychiatrist ever examined Marvin, it is difficult to know for sure if he were mentally challenged, stupid, or just "slow."
Fred outlived Kate by 6 years, and died the day after Christmas, 1960.
Fred was a friendly old soul, and everyone liked him. When he grew up, he got a job as an insurance salesman, and that's where he stayed until he retired. Later in life, he always played "Santa Claus" for all the Menke family during Christmas.
Fred met and married a lady named Kate Macklin (1890-1954) and they had two children. Russell Menke (1914-1917), the first child, was said to be a beautiful child who could "swear like a drunken sailor." Sadly, he caught scarlet fever and died before he was three years old. At that point, Fred and Kate decided to have no more children, as the pain of loss was so great. However, Fred's wife, Kate, got pregnant again, and she did all that she could to abort the child. To no avail, Marvin Menke was born when his mother was in her 40's in 1935. As it turned out, Marvin Menke (1935-1988) was always a little "slow." As no professional psychologist or psychiatrist ever examined Marvin, it is difficult to know for sure if he were mentally challenged, stupid, or just "slow."
Fred outlived Kate by 6 years, and died the day after Christmas, 1960.
Biopic of George A Menke
Dr Dave Menke's maternal grandfather, Oscar Menke, was the 3rd son of Henry and Philippina Menke. Oscar's oldest brother, George A Menke (1882-1932) was the 2nd child and 1st son of Henry John Menke (1854-1911). George was the first child of Philippina Ottwein Menke (1861 - 1937). George was born in St. Louis.
George was a fun-loving guy, and was the oldest of the Menke clan. His older half-sister, Matilda Menke (1880-1952), was raised by her own mother and a stepfather, so she was not involved very much with George and his younger siblings.
George had a stocky build, and had a mean streak in him. As he got older, he became addicted to alcohol, and spent much of his life drunk. He was married once, to a woman named "Mary," aka "Mimi," but they had no children, and the divorced.
The story is told that from the early 1900's until his death, he would pack the trunk of his car with ice and lots of beer. He would then drive from St. Louis across the river into Illinois, and to the family farm (his mother's family) in the town of Troy. There, he would sit around under the large oak trees with his cousins and other relatives, and drink until all the beer was gone. Then he got back in his car and drove home.
George was a fun-loving guy, and was the oldest of the Menke clan. His older half-sister, Matilda Menke (1880-1952), was raised by her own mother and a stepfather, so she was not involved very much with George and his younger siblings.
George had a stocky build, and had a mean streak in him. As he got older, he became addicted to alcohol, and spent much of his life drunk. He was married once, to a woman named "Mary," aka "Mimi," but they had no children, and the divorced.
The story is told that from the early 1900's until his death, he would pack the trunk of his car with ice and lots of beer. He would then drive from St. Louis across the river into Illinois, and to the family farm (his mother's family) in the town of Troy. There, he would sit around under the large oak trees with his cousins and other relatives, and drink until all the beer was gone. Then he got back in his car and drove home.
Mini Biopics of Stephen Menke, Jr; Adrienne Menke; and Kendra Menke
Dr Dave Menke's brother, Stephen Menke, had three children: Stephen, Jr. (1966-); Adrienne (1968-), and Kendra (1971-) Menke. They are the children of Stephen Menke, Sr. (1944-) and Bette Smith (1944-). All three were born in the region of St Louis, Missouri. No photos are available at this time.
Like NBC journalist Tom Brokaw and political activist Jesse Jackson, Stephen Allen Menke, Jr., was born with a cleft lip and palate. Numerous subsequent surgeries all but erased the physiological error. However, young Steve's voice has always been a bit "nasal." Stephen was raised in the shadow of his father, who is somewhat of a perfectionist. As he grew up, he first admired and adored his father, but later in life, became antagonistic to and estranged from him. Stephen was married and divorced twice, and now lives as a single person, working in the St. Louis area. His birthdate is February 19.
Adrienne Marie Menke was born in the back seat of her father's car, delivered by a paramedic when Stephen Menke, Sr., pulled into a firehouse for help. She was born on July 1. Adrienne grew up as a cute, but spoiled bratty girl, who looked very much like her father. As a teen, she ran away from her father's custody and moved in with her mother who lived in Memphis, Tennessee. Eventually Adrienne became a very nice young lady, graduated high school, then attended and earned her degree from Christian Brothers University. She met and married her high school sweetheart, S. Craig Stone, (1967-) and they all moved to Las Vegas about 1993 when her husband became an attorney. They have three children: Brandon (1996-), Kelsey (1999), and Jared (2002).
Kendra Elizabeth Menke was born on September 9. She, too, had a cleft lip and palate which was surgically improved over time, but leaving her with a nasal voice. Kendra was the "baby" of the family and was rather shy and quiet, following her sister around. As a teen, she, too, ran away to live with her mother in Memphis. Later she married Glen Stevens (1970-) and had two children; they reside in the Memphis area.
Like NBC journalist Tom Brokaw and political activist Jesse Jackson, Stephen Allen Menke, Jr., was born with a cleft lip and palate. Numerous subsequent surgeries all but erased the physiological error. However, young Steve's voice has always been a bit "nasal." Stephen was raised in the shadow of his father, who is somewhat of a perfectionist. As he grew up, he first admired and adored his father, but later in life, became antagonistic to and estranged from him. Stephen was married and divorced twice, and now lives as a single person, working in the St. Louis area. His birthdate is February 19.
Adrienne Marie Menke was born in the back seat of her father's car, delivered by a paramedic when Stephen Menke, Sr., pulled into a firehouse for help. She was born on July 1. Adrienne grew up as a cute, but spoiled bratty girl, who looked very much like her father. As a teen, she ran away from her father's custody and moved in with her mother who lived in Memphis, Tennessee. Eventually Adrienne became a very nice young lady, graduated high school, then attended and earned her degree from Christian Brothers University. She met and married her high school sweetheart, S. Craig Stone, (1967-) and they all moved to Las Vegas about 1993 when her husband became an attorney. They have three children: Brandon (1996-), Kelsey (1999), and Jared (2002).
Kendra Elizabeth Menke was born on September 9. She, too, had a cleft lip and palate which was surgically improved over time, but leaving her with a nasal voice. Kendra was the "baby" of the family and was rather shy and quiet, following her sister around. As a teen, she, too, ran away to live with her mother in Memphis. Later she married Glen Stevens (1970-) and had two children; they reside in the Memphis area.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Micro Biopic of Luke-Adam Menke
Luke-Adam Foreman Menke is the 6th child of Dr Dave Menke (1951-), and his 4th son. Luke-Adam was born in New York in late 1997. His biological parents never married, and after a year or so, pretty much had abandoned him to his maternal grandparents. In 1999, Dr Dave Menke and his wife came along and decided to bring this wonderful young man into their home as a foster son. In a short time, they adopted him and he became an integral part of the family of Dr Dave Menke and his wife, Gail Menke (1965-).Luke-Adam grew up in Florida until he moved to Arizona just before he turned 10 years old. Extremely bright and energetic, it didn't take long for Luke-Adam to make friends and for him to do very well in school.
Luke-Adam developed interests in math, science, soccer, and computer science. In many ways, he is like his brother, Jake Menke (1977-).
Mini Biopic of Jeremiah Menke
Jeremiah Joseph Menke, aka "Jeremy," was born on the lucky day of 7-11 in 1985. His parents, Dr Dave Menke (1951-), and JoAnn Bornstein (1951-), were living in Connecticut at the time. Jeremiah was the 5th and last child of David Menke and JoAnn Bornstein.Jeremiah is currently pursuing an undergrad degree in computer s
cience at the University of Arizona.
Mini Biopic of Rachel Laura Menke
Rachel Laura Menke was the 4th child of Dr Dave Menke (1951-) and JoAnn Bornstein (1951-). Rachel was born in New Britain, Connecticut on October 8, 1982.Rachel grew up a rather shy and quiet young lady. She transferred high schools and accelerated her academic work where she graduated a year and a half early. Rachel became pregnant and had her daughter, Lexi (2001-), before marrying Lexi's father. Rachel went on to earn an Associate's Degree with honor at a local community college, and she got a full scholarship to attend a University where she graduated a couple years later. Rachel and her husband separated in 2004 and shortly after she bought her own house. Her long time boyfriend, Brandon Maloney (1983-) moved in after about a year.
While she was in College Rachel worked as a waitress, then after graduation, became a Realtor. She has worked at 2 different radio stations currently as an Account Executive. Brandon moved in right after I closed on the house and was born in 1983.
The photo here is of Rachel and her daughter, Lexi.
You can find out more about Rachel and her family at her e-blog spot: http://www.hartless1.blogspot.com
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