Darlene Lucille Menk

Darlene Lucille Menk, 80, of Benson passed away on Sunday Morning, October 25, 2020 at the St. Cloud Hospital. Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, on Saturday, November 7, 2020, at the Zniewski Funeral Home in Benson. A private family memorial will be held. Arrangements are with the Zniewski Funeral Home of Benson.

Darlene Lucille Menk was born on October 15, 1940 in Tracy, Minnesota to Howard and Rosella Knutson Oiom. She grew up on the family homestead south of Dovray, Minnesota. In her younger years she spent much of her time at her grandparents, Hans and Josephine, in Dovray. She had fond memories of being with them, cousins and friends in town, and eventually moved into the house where they had lived. She was baptized and confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Dovray. She graduated from Westbrook High School in 1958. She told many stories of classmates, Gymnastics Club and dances at the Valhalla Ballroom.

On November 26, 1988, she was united in marriage to David Menk. They moved to Slayton, Minnesota and then to Benson, were they were property managers for apartment buildings. Darlene loved being with family and friends. She was so proud of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed being in the sunshine, tending to her garden, spending time with her cats, and getting into the yellow midget with Dave, having the top down and seeing where they would end up. She was called from this life on Sunday, morning, October 25, 2020 at the St. Cloud Hospital. She attained the age of 80 years and 10 days.

She is survived her husband of 31 years, David, her daughters Kimberly (Kevin) Arnold and Kay (Randy) Pederson; her grandchildren Layne, Natalie, Cassidy (Mary), Melanie (Nick), Cody, Jacob, and Kelsey; her great grandchildren Lexis, Damon, Ethan, Tyler, Emma, and Isaac; her sister in law Eleanor Dold; and Lanny Engler, the father of her children. She is preceded in death by her father, mother, an infant son, a great grandson Lincoln Arnold, her brothers and sister in laws, Lorraine and Tommy Leonard, Esther and Lester Morgan, Richard Menk, and Eugene Dold. Blessed be her memory.

In lieu of flowers family prefers memorials.