Louis Joseph (Louie) Menghini, 83, of Oshkosh, followed his Lord and Savior Thursday, January 25th surrounded by his family in Scottsbluff after a long battle with health issues.
Cremation has taken place, and a rosary will be recited at 10:00 A.M. with a mass to follow at 10:30 Saturday, February 17, 2024 at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Oshkosh.
Holechek-Bondegard Funeral Home and Cremations in Oshkosh is serving the Menghini family.
Louie was born January 2, 1941 in Rock Springs, WY to Fred and Madeline (Miskulin) Menghini and grew up in Superior, WY. He graduated from Superior High School. He attended Union Pacific Clerical School in Pueblo, CO then moved to Lyman, NE in 1960. While in Lyman, he met Germaine (Bode) and fell in love. They were married September 2, 1961.
Louie worked 42 years with the UPRR and moved to Gering, Northport, and eventually Oshkosh in the summer of 1965. He drove to Julesburg and Sidney to work in the depots because he did not want to leave the Oshkosh community. Later, he was transferred to East St. Louis to work in the customer service division, and eventually was the office manager in North Platte Bailey yard. After all his years of service, the railroad renamed one of the streets in the yard Menghini Avenue.
Louie enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons, and taught them the value of respecting nature. Whenever possible, he attended many Garden County athletic events even after his sons graduated. At times when he travelled for dialysis, he would stop to watch the Eagles play if they were on the road. To this day, he wore his old, corduroy, purple hat to show his support for GCHS.
He was a member of the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and enjoyed seeing the other members. Louie was a man of principle who put other’s needs in front of his own. When someone needed help, he would lend a hand.
Louie is survived by his wife Germaine of Oshkosh, sons Troy (Shelly) of Lincoln; Todd (Rhonda) of Scottsbluff; Trever (Tammy) of North Platte; Sister, Mary Kay Noble of Cora, WY. Louie was blessed with 9 granddaughters. Aubrie Menghini of Denver, Alyse (Austin) Aufenkamp of Lincoln, Allie (Carsten) Hayes of Lincoln, Kelcie (Jordan) Hanson of Williston, ND, Savannah (Matt) Barden of Rapid City, Michaella (Tyler) Arnold of Lincoln, Allexis Menghini of Topeka, Gabby Menghini (Zach Folda) of Lincoln, Hillary Menghini of Lincoln. Two great-grandchildren Luka and Skout Hanson of Williston, ND. He loved his family very much, and enjoyed many hours in the stands by softball diamonds and volleyball courts.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Freddie, aunts, uncles and cousin.
Louie may have shaken off his mortal coil, but he will live on in all our hearts.