Donald Meenen

Donald Wayne Meenen was born in Clay Center, Kansas on July 15, 1929 to Fritz and Emma Belle (Drake) Meenen. He attended Sherwood country school through the eighth grade, transferring to public school where he graduated from Clay Center High School in 1947. He graduated from Kansas State University, in 1951 with a degree in agriculture. While in high school, he was a member of the CCHS Stardusters Jazz Band. At KSU, he was member of the KSU marching band and the Block and Bridle Club. He married Joann Darlene Heusted on August 13, 1950 who survives of the home. After his KSU graduation, he and Joann moved to Clifton and made their home on the KA Drake family farm near Clifton. To this union were born five children who survive; twin daughters, Nancy (Dr.Terry) Moser, and Linda (Randy) Brown of Topeka; three sons, Doug (Karen), Topeka, Michael (Sarah), Americus, and Patrick (Micki), Hiawatha. They became foster parents to Albert (Julia) West and Bill West (Charlotte Mercer) in 1972, who also survive and remain part of the family. Other survivors include a sister, Dora Morris of Wamego, and a brother Edward Meenen of Clay Center. Grandchildren, Regina Hoerner Muncheberg (Jens); Tracy Hoerner Rose (Brad); Bryon Hoerner (Caitlin); Heather Brown Cunningham (Michael); Jeremy Brown (Errin); Kristi Brown Harrell (Travis); Matthew and Michael Meenen (Madison); Sarah Meenen; Mark Meenen (Miranda); Rachel Meenen; Ashli Meenen, Kyle (Shelby), and Shane (Emily) Meenen; 18 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Fritz Henry and Emma Belle Drake Meenen, and his brother in law, Col. Raymond E Morris. Don actively participated in the family farming until health issues led to his retirement in 1970. He was then employed in the Agronomy and Hardware Dept at Farmer's Union Cooperative in Clay Center and then served as General Manager of Concordia Coop. After leaving the family farm in 1986 and a short stint at Osborne, KS, they returned to Greenleaf in 1987 where he continued employment for Coop. He retired from the Coop in 1994. For the next 10 years, he was employed providing public transportation for Twin Valley in Greenleaf. While living in Greenleaf, he served on the Tree Board. He and Joann provided transportation for Kansas Specialty Dog Service in Washington, bringing clients to and from the Kansas City airport. In 2010, they moved to Topeka where they resided alongside their daughter Linda's family. After this move, Don actively participated in providing transportation and supervision of his grandchildren, taking them to their activities. He was a proud supporter of his grandchildren attending ballgames, activities and school programs faithfully until his health prevented it. From childhood, his faith became the foundation for how he lived his life. No matter where he lived, Don was active in his church community, and exhibited a strong, quiet faith to family and friends. His giving continued in his death as he donated his body to Science Care. In lieu of flowers, Don requested memorials to Avalon Hospice, Rossville Methodist Church, or Kansas Specialty Dog Service and sent in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple Street, St. Marys, Kansas 66536. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, May 25th 10:30 a.m. at the Rossville Methodist church. Inurnment of his ashes will be in the family plot at Riverdale Cemetery, south of Clifton at a later date.