Martin Manke

MARTIN MANKE Martin Howard Manke, 89, passed away Thursday, June 25, 2009. He was born in Middletown, Conn., March 15, 1920, and was a resident of Las Vegas for 48 years. Martin was a member of First Good Shepherd Lutheran church for 48 years as well. His whole life was dedicated to being a loving husband to his late wife, Anna Manke, of 65 years, before her passing in 2006. Martin was a loving father and grandfather. He started in Connecticut in 1939 as an electrician, becoming an electrical and plumbing contractor in 1945. Then in 1949, due to health reasons, he relocated to a drier climate, Albuquerque, N.M., where he joined the IBEW Electrical Union. From there working in various parts of the country until 1961 where he settled in the Las Vegas area working at various jobs extending from Laughlin to the Nevada Test Site where he retired, spanning a 45-year career as an electrician. Martin is survived by three children, Cindy S. Ferguson, Linda A. Kapel and Marty J. Manke and their families; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren, all of Las Vegas; two sisters, Violet Stuckert of Las Vegas, and Lily Keller of Boulder City. Martin was also survived by a brother-in-law who was more like a brother, James Oktavec of Higganum, Conn. Viewing will be noon-1 p.m. Thursday, July 2, with a service to follow, both at First Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 301 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89101. Interment immediately following the service at Palm Memorial Park, 6701 N. Jones Blvd. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.