Berdonna Malenke

Berdonna Marjorie (Gady) Malenke, age 87, went to heaven on May 24, 2021.

She was born on June 5, 1933, at the home farm near Nodine, MN, to Herman and Ella (Beck) Gady, and was baptized on August 13, 1933, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Nodine.

Berdonna attended the Dick School for six years, until the family moved to Winona, where she attended St. Martin’s School until 9th grade, and graduated from Winona Senior High School in 1950.

On September 11, 1954, Berdonna married Junior Malenke at St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Winona.  They made their home in the Twin Bluffs area, overlooking the Mississippi River, where they raised their four children: Linda, Mary, Patti, and Bob.  Junior passed away in December of 1986 from heart disease.

Before her marriage, she worked in the office at Watkins, and was once on the cover of one of their advertisements.  Berdonna was the treasurer of Richmond Township for 19 years, and she also volunteered at the Dakota School, enjoying the time working with the students.

She was a member of St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pickwick, where she was active with the Ladies Aid and Bible study groups.  Berdonna and Junior lived their faith and raised their children in a loving Christian home.

Berdonna is survived by her children: Linda (Bruce) Fort, Ridgeway; Mary (Robert) Green, Winona; Patti (Dale) Kelso, Winona; and Bob Malenke, Winona.  She was blessed with six grandchildren: Melissa McKenzie, Jason Fort, Matt Green, and Dylan, Jenna, and Makayla Kelso; great-grandchildren: Samantha, Sophie, Maddie, Trenton, and Vayda; her sister: Marjorie (Phillip “Skip”) Jaskola, of Illinois; a sister-in-law: Janice Gady, of Arizona.  Berdonna is further survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband; and her brothers and sisters-in-law: Ervin “Butch” and Alice Gady; Arnold and Polly Gady; and Raymond Gady.

Visitation will be held from 9:30 AM until the funeral service at 11 AM on Saturday, May 29, 2021, at St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pickwick.  The Reverend James Nelson will officiate.  Berdonna will be laid to rest in the Pickwick Cemetery.  (Please note that the church is handicap accessible.)

Pallbearers will be: Bruce Fort, Robert Green, Dale Kelso, Jason Fort, Matt Green, and Dylan Kelso.

Berdonna asked that memorials be directed to St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pickwick, in lieu of flowers.

The family wishes to thank the kind and caring staff at Benedictine – St. Anne and Winona Hospice for the excellent and loving care that Berdonna received.  God bless you all!

Please visit www.watkowski-mulyck.com to leave online condolences, and to view a video recording of the service when it becomes available.

Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.