LAURENE DEE MINEKE

Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home

Laurene Mineke passed away at home and into the next life on February 23, 2011, after a courageous struggle with cancer. She was born in Grange-ville, Idaho, on November 14, 1941, to Iris (Clark) Hayes and Lawrence Reed Hayes. The first year of her life she lived in 21 different places with her parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins while her father followed road construction jobs. Upon her father being drafted in World War II, the family moved to Kennewick, Washington, when she was 1 year old. Both sets of grandparents lived on the same block, and she delighted in visiting them each day. She started kindergarten in the old Fruitland School at age 4. After her father returned from Japan and the Philippines, the family moved to a cattle ranch near Riggins, Idaho, where she attended school in a one-room school house. She and her family lived in the area for 10 years. In 1956, the family moved to Mesa, Washington, to begin farming. They were one of the first pioneer irrigation farmers in the Basin. She and her sister worked hard helping the family clear the land of sagebrush in preparation for farming.

Laurene graduated Salutatorian from Connell High School in 1959, and was described by her teachers and classmates as ambitious. She was a member of the Chorus, Girls State, Pep Club, Girls League, President of Future Teachers of America, and Franklin County Dairy Princess. After high school, she attended CBC and transferred to WSU where she graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts in English Education (K-12). In 1998, she earned her Master's Degree from Heritage University.

She met her husband, Rodney Mineke, while he was helping his brother dig sugar beets on her father's farm. During their courtship, they spent summers boating on the Columbia, Snake and at O'Sullivan. On August 3, 1963, they embarked on 47 years of a loving and dedicated marriage.

In 1963, she took her first teaching job at Kennewick High School as an English teacher. That fall, Rod's job transferred them from Pasco, Washington, to Portland, Oregon. While in Portland, she worked for Multnomah County as a social worker. In 1967, Rod was offered a job at the Hanford area, and they moved back to Pasco. She took a teaching job at Highlands Junior High School until she became pregnant with their daughter Melina. They moved into their new home the fall of 1967, and she lived there until her passing. Although she and Rod had only one child, they helped in the raising of many young people by setting an example of kindness and family commitment. Their loving home has special memories for many who spent time there and were made to feel like family.

Laurene took a break from teaching to raise Melina. During Melina's grade school years, she was a home room mother, PTA member, and 4-H leader. When Melina reached pre-school age, she helped teach pre-school for the Pasco Parks and Recreation Department. In 1978, she returned to teaching high school English at Kamiakin. Laurene took a 10-year break from teaching and owned a Pasco clothing store, 'Just Friends,' with her friend and neighbor, Alanna Stingley. She later returned to Kamiakin and resumed her passion for teaching. In 1998, she transferred to Southridge High School and retired from there in 2002. Laurene was from a generation of teachers, her grandmother, her mother, and herself. Between the three of them, they have taught school for more than 100 years.

She was member of Gamma Mu; Children's Orthopedic Guild; Desert Ski Club; Delta Kappa Gamma, an educational honorary for women teachers; Washington Retired Teachers, the Clover Island Yacht Club, and the International Order of Blue Gavel Auxiliary. She loved collecting antiques, sewing, snow skiing, camping, traveling, boating on the Columbia and Snake River, and four-wheeling on the beaches of Baja, Mexico.

Laurene loved traveling which her mother introduced her to. Laurene traveled with friends and family to Alaska, Australia, Germany, Hawaii, and Mexico, to name a few. She cherished the time with her grandsons and gave them a lifetime of experiences and memories. Last summer, she returned to Riggins, Idaho, with her husband, daughter, and grandsons and shared her childhood memories. She loved Christmas and spent hours decorating her home, filling it with the Christmas spirit. She planned every special occasion with great thought and love. Those memories are forever imprinted in our hearts.

She was a loving and devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, co-worker, neighbor, and friend. She leaves her family and friends with memories of her fun spirit, helpfulness, kindheartedness, generosity, and her beautiful smile that they will carry with them for a lifetime. She was a beautiful person inside and out and gave unselfishly. She had a positive influence on many lives.

Laurene is survived by the love of her life, Rod Mineke; daughter, Melina (Mineke) Wenner; grandsons Carson and Hudson Wenner; sister Cheryl (Hayes) Froeber. and brother-in-law Duane; brother Lanny Hayes and sister-in-law Cindy; and numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be a celebration of Laurene's happy and adventurous life on Saturday, March 5, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at the Clover Island Yacht Club. All members, family, and friends are invited. Food and refreshments will be served.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Chaplaincy at Hospice, 2108 West Entiat Ave., Kennewick, WA 99336.

The family invites you to sign their online guestbook at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com.