Natalie Menk

Natalie Menk, age 88, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Sunday July 20, 2003 in Brenham Texas. Born Natalina Herrietta Ida Spitzer on October 20, 1914 to Lula Hulda Beth Gregor Spitzer and Herman Spitzer in Brenham Texas. The eldest of three children, she was preceded in death by her brothers Garrett Spitzer and Arnie Spitzer. She graduated from Brenham High School in the Class of 1932. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Brenham. Natalie got her core values of hard work, thrift, and recycling during the Depression. These values served her well in life, and she passed them onto her family. Natalie married Warren Herman Menk in El Campo Texas on August 27, 1939, just before Hitler invaded Poland. While Warren was in the Army Air Corps in WWII, Natalie raised their first son Robert T. Menk in Brenham. After the War, the family settled in Brenham. Their second son, Russell A. Menk was born there. An industrious, driven woman far ahead of her time, she started a clothing manufacturing company, Nat s Tiny Tots. She first started sewing infant clothes for her children, later selling clothes to local merchants out of her car trunk, and later still running an infant clothing factory employing up to 50 workers mostly women. Through the 50 s, 60 s, and 70 s, she gave many women in the community the ability to earn money by sewing piece goods from their homes. A woman in industry long before it was common place, Natalie worked and fought hard to build and keep her company. Supported by her husband and family, the company survived for almost 40 years. After the close of Nat s Tiny Tots, her creative, energetic spirit turned to making crafts and she worked the circuit of craft shows for many years. Natalie also loved to travel & covered most of the world before declining health slowed her down. She loved to travel with her only grandson, John Menk, and they shared several trips together. She made many friends, shared many stories, and had wonderful times. One of Natalie s joys was eating out, and she frequented the Santa Fe Cafe and The Cactus. She enjoyed the visiting as much as the food. Natalie is survived by sons Robert Mary Menk of Brenham, Texas, Russell Jackie Menk of Herriman, Utah, her grandson John Shelia Menk of Round Rock, Texas, and three great grandsons Tyler, Cody, and Eric. The funeral service will be at 2:00pm Tuesday, July 22 at Memorial Oaks Chapel with Reverend Wesley Welborn officiating. Burial will be in the Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham. The family will receive visitors at Memorial Oaks Chapel from 6-8 p.m. Monday, July 21. Pallbearers will be Doyle Spitzer, Sunnie Wheaton, Bonnie McClain, Melva Hanath, Paul Gaskamp and Benton Schulze. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Brazos Valley Hospice 800-824-2326. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main St. in Brenham.