Obituary - Posted: 3/6/07

Melba Beneke

Melba M. Beneke, 84, of New Albin, Iowa, died Saturday, March 3, 2007 at Franciscan-Skemp Medical Center, La Crosse.

She was bornÝOctober 31, 1922 in Houston County, Minn., to Walter and Hulda (Meiners) Meyer. Melba graduated from Caledonia High School. On September 14, 1946 she married John Beneke at St. Peter's Church in New Albin. Together they farmed in Union City Township, Iowa for many years. In addition to farming, MelbaÝworked as a nurse's aid at Northgate Care Center in Waukon, Iowa and she volunteered for over 40 yearsÝatÝMakee Manor in rural Waukon. Melba was a member of St. John's U.C.C. (Wheatland Church) where she was active in the Women's Fellowship.

Survivors include four children:Jane (Ken) StaggemeyerÝand Keith (Faye) Beneke, both of New Albin; Elizabeth (Tom) McCormick of Harpers Ferry, Iowa, and Michelle (Bill) Wagner of Monona, Iowa; 14 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one sister, Phyllis (Walt) Breeser of New Albin; two brothers, Gilman (Joan) Meyer of New Albin and Lorin Meyer of Bloomington, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews.

Melba was preceded in death by her husband on August 24, 1992; a brother, Warren Meyer; and a sister-in-law, Leanna Meyer.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 7, at St. John's United Church of Christ (Wheatland Church) rural New Albin. Rev. Paul Burgess will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the New Albin Community CenterÝand from 10 a.m. until the time of service Wednesday at the church. Haugen-Roble-Jandt Funeral Home, Caledonia, is in charge of arrangements.

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