LeRoy Manke

Leroy (Roy) A. Manke, age 91, passed away on June 13, 2025. He was born on October 12, 1933, to Carl and Hazel Manke in Vernon County. He graduated from Westby High School in 1951 and later married his high school sweetheart, Anna DeWitt, on March 26, 1953. They celebrated 71 years of marriage. Together, they raised a family of four, consisting of two girls and two boys, living about two miles from Bloomingdale in Knapp Valley, and later built a new house.

After high school, Roy worked at the Cashton Lumber Company, moving on to become a skilled carpenter. He also worked on a mink ranch. Roy started work at Coon Valley Farmers Telephone Company as a lineman in 1955, where he later became General Manager in 1957 until his retirement in 1997. He made the company into a profit-making business. He continued serving the phone company as a board member until 2020, giving him 65 years of service. Roy also was one of the original members of the Coon Valley Lions Club and actively participated in their various projects.

Roy was a family man. He loved having his family get-togethers, cookouts, and spending time with his 12 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, which was truly a special time. He was an outgoing person who enjoyed visiting and storytelling. Roy was famous for his skill at card playing, along with a little teasing. He enjoyed deer hunting, fly fishing, and playing horseshoes. He always looked forward to going to Hayward for a yearly vacation with the family. Roy and Ann enjoyed boating, fishing, and their trips to Branson, MO. He was an avid Packer and Badger fan and enjoyed cooking which he was famous for his chicken soup and his mushroom beef casserole. He enjoyed planting a beautiful flower garden for all to enjoy. Roy appreciated nature, watching the deer, turkey, songbirds, and other wildlife that would cross the valley. He loved his valley.

LeRoy is survived by his four children: Susan and Ronald Melchert, Jeffrey and Sandra (Verdeyen) Manke, James and Cristy (Snow) Manke, and Jane and Kelvin Marx; 12 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren; and his brother-in-law, Douglas DeWitt.

He was preceded in death by his wife Anna, his parents, Carl and Hazel Manke, one sister, Cozette Parker, and two brothers, Eldon and Carl Jr.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Bassett and all her nursing staff at Gundersen Clinic, the staff and the residents at Creamery Creek Assisted Living, and St, Croix Hospice staff for all the loving care you gave.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be expressed to Sugar Grove Cemetery, attention Joyce Clark, or St Croix Hospice in LeRoy's memory. Online condolences may be offered at vossfh.com.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, June 19, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at the Funeral Home in Westby. Pastor Julie Wollman will officiate. Burial will follow in the Sugar Grove Cemetery, rural Westby. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Vosseteig Funeral Home & Crematory in Westby is serving LeRoy’s family.

708 S Main St

Westby, WI 54667

608.634.2100