Dennis Aloysious Menke, 81, of West Point, Iowa, died at 9:31 p.m. Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospital in Fort Madison.
Dennis graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in 1961. He married the love of his life, Kate Geers, in 1963. They started their life together moving to Chicago so that Dennis could take a job as a diesel mechanic with the Santa Fe Railroad. No stranger to work, he also took a job with American Asphalt Paving Company while in Chicago. After starting their family, a move back to West Point was in order. In 1967, Dennis continued his work as a diesel mechanic with J.J. Nichting Co. until he purchased a tank wagon business from his father-in-law, Ed Geers, in 1971. Menke Oil merged with Bentler Oil in 1976 to form Jet Gas.
With Kate at his side, they started another business – Crystal Ice – in 1978. Little did they know this was the start of something big. Over the course of his 35 years in the ice industry, Dennis had national influence in improving production and delivery efficiencies. His innovative methods were widely recognized and duplicated resulting in his induction to the International Packaged Ice Association Hall of Fame in 2006. After the sale of the Arctic Glacier ice plant in 2013, Dennis continued to be a mentor to both the ice industry and leaders in his local community. Besides his family, whom he fiercely loved, Dennis was passionate about his Catholic faith, Catholic education, and his community. This passion was evident throughout his life. In 1970, along with Jim Bendlage, he was instrumental in organizing the first St. Mary’s Fall Festival. Dennis was a member of the Marquette School Board in the late-80’s, serving several years as president. Generosity was taught around the kitchen table. This was never more evident than when it became obvious that Holy Trinity Catholic School needed a new grade school building. Dennis and Kate personally funded the marketing efforts for the capital campaign. His daily job through every phase of the project was seeing to every detail. Seeing those children, the future of our Catholic faith, enter that building, always made him smile. His final dream, still in the planning process, was to see the completion of the second phase of construction of the Holy Trinity Catholic grade school in West Point. His efforts to this end continued with his involvement in the Holy Trinity Education Foundation.Dennis also left his fingerprints on St. Marys of the Assumption parish – raising funds necessary to build the gathering space, continuously working in the cemetery, and serving on the cemetery board. To say Dennis enjoyed life is an understatement. When the work was finished, it was time for fun. No bottle of Crown was safe when Dennis was around. Hours and hours on the boat and at the cabin – raising his family on the river. Skiing, tubing, or just going for a boat ride. Watching the next generation grow to love the river as he did was one of the greatest joys of his life. Also an avid rodeo fan, he joined two of the things he loved most by hosting the Tr-State Rodeo cowboys and committee at an annual “river day” each year during rodeo week. Wherever he was, whatever he was doing, regardless of the “busy”, there was always time for a drink with a friend.
Dennis is survived by his loving wife, Kate; daughters, Ann Menke, Shelly (Craig) Pieper, and Deina (Dale) Merschbrock, and son, Doug (Cindy Lawson) Menke; sisters: Kathy (Mo) Jham and Nancy Franklin, and brother, Keith (Cheryl) Menke. Also surviving are 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents: Linus and Mary Bentler Menke; in-laws: Edward and Babe Schroeder Geers; daughter-in-law, Lori Wust Menke; sisters, Diane Menke and Janice Driscoll; brothers, Martin Menke and Tommy Menke; sisters-in-law: Mary, Martha, and Edwarda Geers and Jo Farrington; and brothers-in-law, Jim Franklin, Paul Walker and Keith Klemmt.
His body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.
A memorial Mass will be held Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, at 4 p.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point. A celebration of Dennis’ life will be held immediately following Mass at the American Legion in West Point.
Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. All are welcome to attend either service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you continue Dennis’ legacy by considering a memorial to Holy Trinity Catholic Schools. “If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost: that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them.” -Henry David Thoreau