After a life of love and quiet grace, Marla Marie Menke of Evansville, IN has passed.
Below, the simplest tribute: the truth of a life as it was lived.
The lessons of a parent travel forward, often without their name attached.
Marla Marie Menke, born on December 15, 1957, passed away on April 27, 2026, with her family at her side.
Marla lived a life marked by love, devotion, and quiet strength. She was a woman who found her greatest joy in caring for the people she loved, and she gave that love freely and wholeheartedly to her family and friends. Her presence brought comfort, warmth, and a sense of home to those around her, and she will be remembered for the kindness she showed in both the ordinary and the meaningful moments of life.
She was married to her husband of 22 years, Michael Menke, and together they shared a life built on love, companionship, and family. Marla was blessed with two loving bonus children, Meaghan Elpers and her husband Chris, and Micah Brown and her husband Wyatt. She was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Georgia McGinnis, whom she held close in her heart throughout her life.
Marla was especially blessed to be a Mamaw, a role she cherished above all others. She loved her family deeply, and she was happiest when surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was the beloved Mamaw to Valerie Haggard and Kainen, Mackenzie Thompson and Kalab, Mallory Elpers, Macie Elpers, and Raelyn Brown. She was also a proud Great Mamaw to Brenlee, Easton, Boone, and Isla, who is on the way. The joy she found in being a grandmother was one of the greatest gifts of her life, and she embraced every moment of it with tenderness and pride.
She was also an adored sister to Donna Doninger and Ron, Beth Turi and Jerry, and Jill Helfert and Dennis. Marla shared many years of love and laughter with her sisters, and those bonds remained an important part of her life. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and many friends, especially her lifelong friend, Carolyn Kimbrel, who will forever treasure her memory and the many ways she touched their lives.
Marla's family would like to welcome all for a celebration of her life to be held on Monday, May 4, 2026 at Sunset Funeral Home, Cremation Center and Cemetery.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marla, please visit our floral store.
This obituary is published with permission of the family of Marla Menke and may not be copied © 2026
