Lou Mae Charlene “Mae” Funke – Manchester

Lou Mae Charlene “Mae” Funke, 93, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Friday, June 20, 2024, at the Good Neighbor Home in Manchester.

She was born on December 29, 1931, in Earlville, the daughter of Edward and Emma Mary (Dingbaum) Bruggemann. Mae was raised and educated in Earlville. On August 17, 1953, Mae was united in marriage to Edward Funke at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earlville. Five children were born to this union. The couple farmed together on their farm near Greeley until moving to Manchester in 1983. Mae was a longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Greeley and St. Mary Catholic Church in Manchester. Her faith was very important to her. She was a wonderful cook. Mae was very meticulous about the care of her lawn. She enjoyed gardening and loved tending to her flowers. She was a member of the Earlville Garden Club. Mae loved her family, especially her grandchildren, and cherished spending time with them.

Survivors include her four children, Steve (Stacie) Funke of Dillon, Colorado, Debra (Mark) Recker of Manchester, Rick (Mary) Funke of Greeley, and Barry (Rebecca Fletcher) Funke of Manchester; eight grandchildren, Lucas (Jennifer) Funke of Golden, Colorado, Meredith (Josh Schneider) Funke of Lakewood, Colorado, Timothy (Kera) Recker of Solon, Thomas (Marie) Recker of Cedar Rapids, B.J. (Libby) Funke of Des Moines, Blake (Jaymi) Funke of Cedar Falls, Brittany (Luke) Sterbick of Nevada, Macie (Jim Shover)Funke of Ryan, and Bentley Fletcher of Iowa City; 14 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Martha Huber, Rosie Lyness, and Dori (Jim) Corcoran; and many nieces and nephews.

Mae was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edward Funke; her infant son, Scott; three brothers, Rev. Donald Bruggemann, Melvin Bruggemann, and Kenneth Bruggemann; one sister, Jeanette Toomer; and three brothers-in-law, Roger Huber, Bob Toomer, and Don Lyness.

Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com. Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Manchester, Iowa.Visitation: 9:00 – 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Manchester,  Iowa.

Interment: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Greeley, Iowa

Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Manchester, Iowa, is assisting the family with arrangements.