Lenora Jean Meinke was born on February 21, 1932 to Louis & Louise (Hackstock) Heitman of rural Crete, NE.  Lenora passed away on February 14, 2025 at the Wilber Care Center at the age of 92. Lenora attended District 88 School, St John's Lutheran Parochial School of Kramer & graduated in 1951 from Crete High School.  After graduation Lenora moved to an apartment in Crete with Arlene (Znamenacek) Kerst & worked at Gooch's Mill in Lincoln. She married Marvin Meinke on November 18, 1956 at the parsonage of St John's Lutheran Church.  They started married life in Crete before making their home in rural Crete. To this union 2 sons were born.  Lenora lived a life of hard work as a Dairywomen until retiring at the age of 70.  Along with milking she raised a big garden, canned an endless supply of vegetables & fruits from her own trees.

Her grandchildren and great grandchildren always would brighten her day. It didn't matter if it was in her early years of feeding bottle calves when the grandkids came over, or handing out fresh baked goodies to the great-grand kids in the later years, she always had something to share.

Lenora enjoyed bowling on the women's league & on a couple's league with Marvin. The highlights of her winter evenings were spent with the neighborhood card group.  Lenora loved polka and polka dancing, listening to the Mollie B Polka Show & the Czech bands that would come into the Care Center to entertain.  Lenora enjoyed a pastime of crossword puzzles, sewing, crocheting, playing with her dogs & mowing grass.  She would admit to anyone that she would mow grass every day to keep from having to do housework.   Declining health brought her to call the Wilber Care Center home in February of 2020.  With shutdown due to COVID during this time, the wonderful staff of WCC & the residents were her new family, with window & telephone visits being the only connection to her own.

Lenora is survived by her children Dave (Judy) of Hallam & Kevin (Tammy) of Crete.  Grandchildren: Nick & Lacy Meinke, Leah & Jason Harrington, Eddie & Ali Meinke, Melissa & Edwen Rodriquez, Scott & Annie Meinke, Doug & Tessa Meinke. Great Grandchildren: Kinsley & Kaden Meinke, Jacob, Josiah & Jeremiah Harrington, Danny, Aubrey, Colton, Wyatt, Archer & Charlie Meinke, Isabella Rodriquez, Maverick, Joe Douglas & Walter Meinke, & soon to be baby Meinke.  Sister in Law: Shirley Heitman of Council Bluff's, IA.  Brother in Law: Harold Meinke of Crete, Sister in Law & Brother in Law: Iverna & Mark Mercer of Wyoming, Michigan, many nieces, nephews & cousins. She was predeceased by her Parents, husband Marvin, Brother Ervin Heitman, Grandson Bryan Meinke, Parents in Law: Walter & Martha Meinke, Brother in Law: Eugene Meinke & Sister in Law: Margaret Meinke.

Cremation, no visitation. As per Lenora's wishes there will be no memorial service, with a private family burial at a later date.

Memorials for future designation.