Fred Manke

Lake Crystal Mortuary
648 S. Main Street
Lake Crystal, MN 56055
(507) 726-6161

Fred Manke, age 90, of Lake Crystal died Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at Crystal Seasons in Lake Crystal.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 2, 2013 at Zion Lutheran Church, Lake Crystal with Rev. Steve Bohling, officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Lake Crystal Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m., Sunday at Lake Crystal Mortuary and will continue one hour before service at the church on Monday. Memorials may be given to Zion Lutheran Building Fund or Boy Scout Troop 131 of Lake Crystal.

Fred was born at home in rural Blue Earth County, Minnesota February 4, 1923 to Edward and Minnie (Plagmann) Manke. He was the third of ten children. He attended several country schools near Amboy, Garden City, and Willow Creek. He was employed by several farmers in the Lake Crystal area. Fred was united in marriage to Elizabeth "Bette" A. Johnson on December 1, 1942 at Zion Lutheran parsonage in Lake Crystal. Fred served his country with the U.S. Marines during World War II from June 1943-July 1946. He was a corporal with the amphibian tank division, serving in the South Pacific on the Mariana Islands of Saipan and Guam. After the war he returned to Lake Crystal. He worked at various jobs and then began working for Frank Legal of Brown and Legal Construction. His expertise of operating a tank helped him get a job operating a grader. He helped build the interstates in Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, and Iowa.

In 1968, he began working for the city of Lake Crystal. He spent several summers operating the dredge on Crystal Lake. He was Captain of the Lake Crystal Police Reserves from 1975-1985.
In 1969 he became the Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 131 of Lake Crystal. He held this position for 15 years. He also held several positions in the Twin Valley Council of the Boy Scouts.

He enjoyed pitching horse shoes and spent many years on the Lake Crystal League.
Fred was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, the John Roth American Legion Post 294, where he was past Commander for the Post and had served on the Honor Guard and various other positions. He recently received his 65 year pin from Post 294.

Fred is survived by his loving wife of over 70 years, Bette; three daughters, Lois (Don) Davis of Lake Crystal, Kathleen (Steve) Burnett of North Mankato, Kristeen (Roger) Asleson of rural North Mankato; son, Frederick "Rick" (Char) Manke of Lake Crystal; grandchildren, Shannon (Jim) Gullickson, Tammy (Tom) Rossow all of North Mankato, Jay (Lisa) Davis of Plattsmouth, NE, Bill (Megan) Davis of rural Lake Crystal, Amy (Cameron) Haaland of Des Moines, IA, Andrea Asleson of Burnsville, Adam (Elizabeth) Asleson of Rio Rancho, NM, Aaron Asleson of Miltona, Todd Manke and Holly Manke of Lake Crystal; great-grandchildren, Tyler and Logan Davis, Sean and Erin Gullickson, Caleb, Caitlyn, and Colin Davis, Wyatt, Jacob, and Daniel Asleson; step great-grandsons, Chris and Chad Gullickson, Austin, Grant, and Nick Dethlefs; sisters, Josephine Knewtson of Good Thunder, Francis Truenow of Annandale, Arlene (Buck) Marquette of Buffalo; brothers, Jerry (Elaine) Manke of Annandale, Chris (Joan) Manke of Balsam Lake, WI, and Elmer Manke of Glendale, AZ; sister-in-law, Edyth Whitney of Good Thunder; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Clara Peterson, two brothers, Kenneth Manke and Robert Manke.

He was a good husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was very proud of his service to his country during WWII.