ALBERTA MANKA

LAMAR- A private family memorial will be held at a later date for Alberta Darlene Manka, 76, Lamar, who died Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, following a brief illness.

Arrangements are under the direction of Konantz Warden Funeral Home.

Donations may be made to Small Town Feline Friends in Golden City, Spare Cat Rescue of Carthage or the Lamar Animal Shelter.

Condolences may be left online at www.konantzwarden.com.

Survivors include a brother, Don Manka; a niece/daughter, Kimberly Cupit and husband Darryl; a niece, Debbie Onstott Bogle and husband James, as well as many other nieces and nephews across the country.

She was preceded in death by her sisters, June Bench, Amy Bates and Pat Bates; brothers, Ron Manka, Kenny Manka and Bill Manka and a nephew, Glenn Manka.

Mrs. Manka was born May 11, 1945, in Modesto, Calif., to Guy and Mina Manka. She moved to Missouri in the 1970’s, residing first in Golden City and then settling in Lamar. She worked at Smith Brothers in Lamar and during the weekends ran the Greenfield Movie Theater. She later worked at Butterball in Carthage and O’Sullivan Industries, where she achieved many of her “first” accomplishments, being one of the first of two women leadmen on production. She then traveled the United States over the road trucking for five years before settling into her last career at Thorco. Here she became the first woman forklift driver of the company, which she continued to do until her retirement in 2012.

She took numerous opportunities to travel back to California to her roots and to spend time in San Francisco. Another passion in her life involved the pets she cared for, small and large. She also loved the arts and attended plays and theatrical events.

Her faith in Jesus Chris guided and carried her through her life’s journey.