William ‘Bill’ F. Manke

William “Bill” F. Manke age 89 of Nashua, IA died Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2019, at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center in Mason City, IA.

Funeral Service will be held 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019 at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Nashua with Rev. Charis Combs-Lay celebrating the service.

Interment will follow the service at Oak Hill Cemetery in Nashua with Nile Funk, Jim Vols, David Burkhardt, Dennis Weibke, Wesley Wolff and Bruce Becker serving as pallbearers.

Friend may greet the family from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23, 2019 at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory – Olson Chapel in Nashua. Visitation continues an hour prior the service on Saturday at the church.

William “Bill” Manke was born Aug. 18, 1930 in Marble Rock, Iowa, the son of Edward and Anna (Gutzmer) Manke. He was an only child. Bill was confirmed at St. Peters Church in Greene, IA in 1944. He was a part of the graduating class of 1948 at Marble Rock High School. He met the love of his life, Karen Wolf at a dance in Janesville, IA in 1965. The couple were married on February 25, 1968 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Charles City, to this union one daughter was born.

Bill was a lifelong farmer. He loved the land. Bill and Karen together raised livestock, beans, corn and everything in-between. They joined St. John’s Lutheran Church in Nashua shortly after the married. Bill was active in the church in many different ways. He captained the dartball team for 30 years. During those dartball games Bill loved the camaraderie and the many championships the team brought to the church. He was on the church council for a number of years and was instrumental in getting the parking lot paved.

Bill’s hobbies included gardening, playing cards, visiting friends and family. He enjoyed embroidery, quilting and sewing. He loved watching his grandson Jacob in his plays at school. He also enjoyed going around and visiting with the farmers and selling seed. Any chance to visit with other farmers made him happy.

Bill is survived by his wife of 51 years, Karen Manke of Nashua, IA; one daughter, Laurie (Roy) Cooley of Des Moines, IA; one grandson, Jacob Mentzer of Des Moines, IA; one granddog Fluffy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Anna Manke.