Mary Jo Menke

Mary Jo Menke, 75, of Davenport, died Friday, January 5, 2024 at her home surrounded by her family following a courageous battle with cancer.  She was welcomed into Heaven by her parents, Linus Meierotto and Betty and Paul Wilkens and other loved ones who preceded Mary Jo in death.

Mary Jo was born on March 12, 1948 in Ft. Madison, Iowa, the first daughter of Linus and Betty Meierotto.  Mary Jo was united in marriage to Ben Menke on May 9, 1970 at Holy Family Catholic Church. Together they had four children: Tracy (Chad) Buhman, George (Carrie) Menke, Erin Menke, and Meredith (Michael) Ortega.  She was a loving grandma to eight grandchildren: Katie (Adam) Fitzsimmons, Kyle (Madi) Buhman, Cole Buhman, Brooke Menke, Camryn Menke, Josh McBride, Christian Behrens, and Peyton Behrens.  She was also blessed with two great-grandchildren: Rylee Buhman and Calvin Fitzsimmons and was excited to welcome her third great-grandchild in April.  She was beloved by three siblings: Diane (Dennis) Dietzman, Mike Meierotto, and Kaye Lynn (Dirk) Jacobs.  All of her family were treasured by Mary Jo and was she was affectionately known as Grandma Jo.

When her children were young, Mary Jo had the privilege of being a stay-at-home mother for 20 years.  She had a great love of animals her whole life starting with horses in her youth and later with family pets including caring for her children’s dogs/cats. She was a craftsperson like her mom and a gifted seamstress who made clothes, quilts, doll clothes, purses, etc. her whole life.  Besides being a mom, grandma, and great grandma, an amazing cook, and seamstress, Mary Jo had a twenty-one-year career as a respiratory therapist at Genesis Medical Center in Davenport.

As per Mary Jo’s wishes, her Memorial Mass will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 12, 2024 at Holy Family Catholic Church.  Visitation will be Friday from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. at Holy Family. The Rosary will be prayed at 10:40 a.m. prior to the Mass. Her ashes will be inurned at Calvary Cemetery in West Point, Iowa.  Memorials may be made to the Mary Jo Menke Memorial Fund.

The Menke family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Genesis Hospice for all the compassionate care they shared with Mary Jo.