Linus Menne

Linus Donald Menne, 72, of West Union, Iowa died Friday, May 12, 2019 at the Good Samaritan Home after a long illness. Linus was born on October 5, 1946 in Ossian, Iowa to Bernard and Irene (Wieling) Menne. Linus graduated from St Francis De Sales School in Ossian, Iowa in 1964. He attended University of LaCrosse for several years. As a teenager, he worked part-time for a milk hauler who collected the milk from farmers, lifting cans of milk onto a truck. After graduation, he had a milk route with Nordness Creamery resulting in extended knowledge of the area farmers and where they lived. 

In 1969, he married his friend, Alice Hackmann, the couple’s first home was west of Castalia. They purchased a farm in Fayette County north of West Union focusing on milking cows, hogs, and crops. They had two children, Dawn and Ben.  During their ownership, the Turkey River frequently flooded the area. One major flooding happened in August, 1990 while they were at  their daughter’s wedding in Des Moines. The water rose high to cover their farmland, and several feet in the barn and outbuildings. With their absence, their neighbors joined to save their cows from drowning in the barn.  In the mid 1990’s Linus farmed in Fayette County east of Auburn. Linus found great joy in being a farmer and sharing his knowledge. He enjoyed using his skills including mechanic and carpentry skills to maintain his tractors and machinery, growing and producing his own food, while living towards independence and “eating off the land.”  He had a lifelong love of animals including his numerous pets and animals for farming. He took pride in his milking cows, giving them personal names. He took pleasure in watching his sheep and horses graze in the pasture, especially on a summer night.  His fondness of horses extended from using teams of horses in the field to hosting a sleigh riding through the hills for family gatherings. Linus also routinely enjoyed watching the Western Channel especially re-watching Gunsmoke and Bonanza numerous times. 
   Linus is survived by his daughter, Dawn (Michael) Diehl of Oskaloosa, Iowa and son, Ben (Denise) of Hawkeye, Iowa; four grandchildren including granddaughter, Gabrielle, grandsons Joshua, Ian and Jonas; his sisters, Edna (Al) Ahlgren of California, Ann Aders of California and Phyllis Menne of Wisconsin; sister-in-law, Rita (Hageman) of Wisconsin; and his brothers, Richard (Kathy) of West Union and Larry (Millie Kalvelage) Menne of Decorah. In addition, he is survived by his aunt, Mageline (Ralph) Wieling; many nieces, nephews, and cousins, both in the US and Germany.
Linus was preceded in death by his parents Bernard and Irene; his grandparents, Joseph, Frances (Bengfort) Wieling of Festina and Lorenz and Johanna (Wulfhurst) Menne of Germany; sister, Mary in 1941, Frank in 1943, Anthony (Tony) 1967, Joan in 2010, and Joseph in 2016. .
Linus was blessed with numerous lifelong friends who supported him later in life.  With his brother’s Larry’s support and his friends’ assistance, he was able to enjoy the farm experience despite his health limitations the last 7 or so years. He will be forever grateful.  For the last twelve years, he has embraced the support, companionship and special friend Sherry Paul.
The family of Linus Menne expresses sincere appreciation to the DaVita Dialysis Center of West Union for the years of professional and personal support. Although the process of dialysis was difficult, he appreciated their genuine kindness and respect for his decisions.  Linus’ family expresses sincere appreciation to the Good Samaritan Home in West Union whose interventions and care increased his comfort level and quality of life. He is forever grateful for the respect you showed him.
Linus never stopped expressing his desire nor attempting to return to his beloved farm and animals, despite his need for medical support. Although that was not possible, we can respect and honor his desire to be where his heart and soul resided. 

Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in West Union, Iowa.

A Private Family Burial will be held at a later date.

Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of West Union, Iowa is helping the family with arrangements.