Anna Mae Manke

Anna M. Manke, age 90, of Westby, passed away on January 10, 2025. She was born January 1, 1935, to Clifford and Bernice DeWitt in Bloomingdale, WI. In 1952, she graduated from Westby High School and Ann married her high school sweetheart, LeRoy Manke, March 26, 1953, celebrating their 71st wedding anniversary. Together, they raised a family of four, two girls and two boys, living about two miles from Bloomingdale, where they later built a new house. Ann worked at the Coon Valley Telephone company many years, alongside her husband.

Ann loved having her family get together and spending time with her 12 grandchildren and her 23 great grandchildren, which was a truly special time for her. She knitted baby sweaters and blankets for each new grandchild as well as toddler sweaters. Ann invested time into research and compiled a lot of information for their family tree. Ann loved to play cards, and everyone always wanted her to be their canasta partner. She also enjoyed shopping and going to sales for carnival glass and pretty dishes. Ann was a fantastic Christmas decorator, making her house absolutely magical, and passing that love on to several grandchildren. Extended family vacations for a week in Hayward was a yearly family tradition. Ann and Roy enjoyed fishing and their trips to Branson, MO. She spent a lot of time putting puzzles together to pass the time.

Anna is survived by her husband, LeRoy; four children: Susan and Ron Melchert, Jeff and Sandy (Verdeyen) Manke, Jim and Cris (Snow) Manke, and Jane and Kelvin Marx; 12 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and her brother, Doug DeWitt.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford and Bernice DeWitt, three sisters: Lila Miller, Alice Thompson, and Carol Rudrud; and one sister in-law, Linda DeWitt.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Basset and all of the nursing staff at the Gunderson clinic, the nurses at Vernon Memorial Hospital, and the nurses and the staff of Creamery Creek Assisted Living for all the loving care that you gave.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at Vosseteig Funeral Home in Westby. A visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. Ann will be laid to rest at the Sugar Grove Cemetery, rural Westby.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be expressed to the Sugar Grove Cemetery, attention: Joyce Clark, in Ann's memory.

Vosseteig Funeral Home & Crematory in Westby is serving Ann's family.

708 S. Main Street.

Westby, WI 54667

(608) 634-2100