Joseph J. Menter

KNAPP - Joseph J. Menter, 78, of Knapp died Friday, Nov. 20, 2015, at The Neighbors of Dunn County, Menomonie, after a long fight with colon cancer.

Joe was born Sept. 10, 1937, to John and Ann (Johnson) Menter in Menomonie. He was baptized at the Knapp Methodist Church, was a member of Hersey Baptist Church for many years, and has been an active member of Wilson Lutheran Church since 1978.

Joe attended Cady Lane Country School and Spring Valley High School graduating with the Class of 1956. On May 3, 1958, Joe married his high school sweetheart, Audrey Rudesill, at New Centerville United Methodist Church.

Joe served in the U.S. Army and after release moved to the Menter farm. He got a job at Boldt and Gregerson's in Baldwin. In 1974, he opened his own business in Menomonie, Red Cedar Plumbing and Heating. Audrey and Joe worked together and eventually started selling Amish Furniture in their store. In 1994, they sold the plumbing business and went entirely to Amish Furniture in their store now known as A&J's Amish Oak. They retired in 2008.

Being a local businessman for so many years, he encountered many people, including in the Amish communities that provided the furniture he sold. Many of these people became his friends, to add to the large list of friends that he already had.

He enjoyed woodworking, spending a lot of time in the garage making boxes to give away to others in his later years, each with a handwritten message on them. At last count, he made he made 164.

He loved to sing and took any opportunity to whether it was a regular Sunday service, a funeral or any other occasion. His powerful voice was evident even when he was affected by the cancer in his last months.

An important part of each day was going to the restaurant to meet with his coffee buddies. When he could no longer go, they came to see him instead.

He beat the cancer, both in the amount of time he was given and by not letting it affect his spirit. When it finally became evident that he could not be alone anymore, he remained positive and kept wearing a smile. Visitors were the highlight of his days, and more often than not he would find a way to make you laugh while you were there.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Audrey; three brothers, George and Bernadene Menter, Bill Menter and Bruce Menter; and sister, Harriett Menter.

He is survived by two sons; one daughter; and three grandchildren, Joe (Kathleen) Menter Jr. of Slinger, Wis., Dennis (Rachel) Menter of Eau Claire, and their children, Shayla and Zachary, and Kathy (Jim) Mikla of Knapp and their son, Steven; one brother, Allen (Phyllis) Menter of Faith, S.D.; brother-in-law, Kent (Ann) Rudesill of Baldwin; sister-in-law, Mary (Len) Place of Oshkosh; many nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.

Funeral service was 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, at Wilson Lutheran Church, Wilson, Wis. Visitation was from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Keehr Funeral Home, Spring Valley. Burial was in Wilson Lutheran Cemetery, town of Cady, Wis.

Pallbearers were Jim Mikla, Jeff Klatt, Ron Hybben, Andy Dahlinger, Chad Gallmeier and Chris Loos. Memorials are preferred to the family.

Keehr Funeral Home, www.keehrfuneralhome.com, Spring Valley, is handling arrangements.