Harlen Dean Menk, 75, passed away peacefully in Louisville, KY, on April 23, 2024 following a battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He is survived by his two children, Rachel (Michael) Haboubi and Joel (Hanne Brolander) Menk, his four grandchildren, Andrew, Georgia, Alexandra, and Margaret Haboubi, and his older brother Bob (Jan) Menk. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Leona (nee Runkle) Menk, his wife, Georgia, and a stillborn daughter, Hannah.
Harlen was born May 14, 1948 to Leona and Harvey Menk in Kiester, MN. He is a graduate of Mankato High School in Mankato, MN. Having always been devoted to education and ministry, Harlen went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in children’s education from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA. After a few years of teaching elementary school, he received and answered the higher call to serve the Lord. He attained his Masters of Divinity from Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, MN, to prepare him for his life of pastoral service. Following his ordination in 1977, he served a dual parish near Birchwood, WI, pastoring Trinity Lutheran Church and Long Lake Lutheran Church. It was there that he met the love of his life, Georgia Solvie. They wed on June 7, 1980.
Harlen’s life was marked by a deep commitment to his role as a husband, father and grandfather. Shortly following the birth of their daughter, Rachel, Harlen and Georgia moved to Forest Lake, MN to serve Hosanna Lutheran Church before finally moving to Ellsworth, WI, to take a call at English Lutheran Church, where they welcomed their son, Joel, into the world. Much later, Harlen’s life joy was multiplied by the blessings of his grandchildren Andrew, Georgia, Alexandra, and Margaret Haboubi.
Harlen served as pastor of English Lutheran Church for 25 years before retiring in 2010, two years after the passing of his beloved wife Georgia. In his tenure as pastor, he touched many lives and served as an exemplary faith and community leader in the Ellsworth area. He was a stalwart for public education and frequently advocated for its betterment through letters to the editor in local papers. In his retirement, he spent many hours volunteering in the music department at Ellsworth High School, and for the Democratic Party in Wisconsin. Harlen also had a deep love of music and travel. He found great joy singing with his friends in the Red Wing Singers and joined them for several international tours in addition to giving many local performances. He was a great supporter of classical music and loved attending and supporting the Minnesota Orchestra as well as the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra.
Following his retirement, Harlen became a faithful member of United Lutheran Church in Red Wing, MN. In 2019, he moved to a condo in Louisville, KY, just blocks away from Rachel and the grandkids. His grandchildren gave him tremendous joy throughout the remainder of his life.
A service to celebrate Harlen’s life and faith will be held at 11:00 on June 29, 2024, at United Lutheran Church in Red Wing, MN. To honor Harlen’s enduring spirit of giving, contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association, the ELCA, or Hosparus Health.
funeral: United Lutheran Church in Red Wing, MN at 11:00am
