Matthew Menke

Matthew Charles Parsons "Matt" Menke went to be with our Lord Jesus on Monday, March 30, 2015, in Missoula. We lost our dear beloved son, brother, husband, father and friend at the young age of 29 due to a tragic motor vehicle accident.

Matt was born on Feb. 22, 1986, in Billings to Mark A. Menke and Deborah M. Parsons Menke. The family moved to Missoula in 1994. Matt attended Russell Elementary School, Meadow Hill Middle School and Sentinel High School, where he excelled in football, wrestling and track. He was a linebacker and captain of the football team. Matt was a natural leader, a fierce competitor, a good sport and a great example to his teammates. After graduation, Matt spent several years as an assistant football coach at Sentinel. He began bowling at a young age and continued to bowl throughout his life. Matt was a state bench-press and arm-wrestling champion. He also enjoyed softball and flag football, but his greatest love was big-game hunting and bird hunting with his faithful chocolate Lab Lily at his side.

Matt attended the University of Montana, where he met the love of his life, Joelle Marie Cowan, and they were married on July 25, 2009. They lived for several years in Missoula and Matt began working for a property maintenance company. He loved working outdoors and having a flexible schedule during hunting season. Matt and Joelle later moved to Lolo, where they bought a home. On June 1, 2014, they were thrilled to welcome their son Gunner Mark Menke into the world. Matt was a devoted daddy who delighted in his son and adored his wife.

Matt is survived by his wife, Joelle; his son, Gunner; his father and mother; sister, Amelia Menke; brother, Joseph Menke; nephew, Edmund Menke; grandmother, Carole Olson; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Darren and Phyllis Slominski; Joelle's siblings, Austin and Becca; nephew, Benny; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and a tremendous number of loyal friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 4, at the Missoula Alliance Church, 100 E. Foss Court, in Missoula with Pastor Jeff Valentine officiating. A reception will follow. A private burial at Sunset Memorial Gardens will precede the memorial service.
Read Matthew Menke's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.