Frederick Menden

Frederick 'Fred' Menden, age 80, passed away on Monday, December 15, 2014, at Ridgewood Care Center. He was born in Racine on February 27, 1934, son of the late Laymond and  Elsie (Nee: Richter) Menden.

Fred attended St. Catherine’s High School “Class of 1952” and then served in the U.S. Navy. On October 26, 1957, at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Oak Creek he was united in marriage to Frances Nygren.

Fred started his career as a model-maker apprentice at In-Sink-Erator and retired as an engineer from Wrought Washer. During his career as an engineer he traveled to Japan, Europe, Mexico and South America.

He was an active member of St. Mary’s By the Lake Catholic Church, where he served on the parish council and as a trustee. Fred spent many hours assisting at prayer services at Villa Saint Ann, Lincoln Lutheran, Lakeshore Manner and the Smith Home. He was a member and past president of the Catholic Men’s Association and a member and past chairman of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Chapter II.

Fred enjoyed planting flowers, feeding birds, golfing and taking trips to Las Vegas with friends and family.  He enjoyed cooking for the family and if there were leftovers he’d comment, “You didn’t eat much… don’t you like my cooking?”  Fred was a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who will be dearly missed.

Surviving are his loving wife of 57 years, Frances; four children, Joseph (Pamela) Menden of Mt. Pleasant, David (Christine) Menden of Bolingbrook, IL, Laura (Brian) Latus of Pewaukee, WI, Mary (Matt) Goulais of New Braunfels, TX;  grandchildren, John (Heather) Menden, Katherine (Adam) Ballbach, Meredith Menden,  Jared (Alli) Latus, Greg (Alissa) Latus, Lauren Latus, Michael and Marie  Golais; great-granddaughters, Lily and Emma; sisters, Audrey Ragan, JoAnn Luba; sister-in-law, Betty Menden; in-laws, Marion and Jack Giannoni, William and Doris Nygren; nieces and nephews and friends.

In addition to his father and mother, Fred was preceded in death by his brother, Laymond; and in-laws, John and Bridget Nygren.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, December 19, 2014, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s By the Lake, in Crestview at 7605 Lakeshore Drive, with Reverend Stephen Stradinger officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Friday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass. Private interment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32. Memorials will be donated to Fred’s favorite charities and will be forwarded by the family.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the caregivers at the Adult day care located on Dominic Drive and the nurses and CNAs at Ridgewood Care Center 2 West for their loving and compassionate care. 

Maresh-Meredith and Acklam Funeral Home
803 Main St., Racine, WI     (262) 634-7888