David J. Menousek

Menousek, David J. Apr 19, 1939 – Nov 24, 2011 A Life of Purpose… David John Menousek was born on April 19, 1939 in Council Bluffs, IA. Soon after, he was sent to St. James Orphanage in Omaha. He resided with the nuns at St. James until July of 1944 when he was sent to the Nebraska State Home in Beatrice, NE (BSDC). David resided in BSDC for 30 years. Life in the institution was difficult and David had many sad memories about his life at Beatrice. In March of 1974, David chose the opportunity to leave BSDC during the “de-institutionalization” period. He chose ENCOR to begin the second stage of his life. David was always eager to experience life, church, job and friends during his years in Omaha. David was a member of Project II, a self-advocacy group seeking rights and respect for people with developmental disabilities; traveling to Australia and New Zealand to pass the message that people who are different are People First. In 1979, David was believed to be the first person with developmental disabilities to purchase his own home. This was made possible with his job training in ENCOR centers and work stations, and later he was competitively employed as a full-time dishwasher at Coco’s Restaurant for 10 years. After Coco’s closed, David worked at Omaha Fixture until the business closed. David then returned to ENCOR Day Services. He later joined in the development of a retirement program called “Life Choices.” He remained with Life Choices until his death. David lived with Bill and Sue Lewis and family for the last 25 years of his life. In July 2011, they moved to Leisure Lakes; and David continued his life in retirement. David was a member of Temple Baptist Church and made many life-long, caring friends in his spiritual life. He loved and trusted Jesus and the Christmas season and shared these ideas freely with others. David had a wonderful quality of making many friends during his lifetime and was loved by the many people he met. David was befriended by Ron and Elaine Loch who accompanied him to church, worship and dinner for many years (and Mike Bruening in the later years). David is survived by Bill and Sue Lewis, Jesse, Erin and Sarah. He was deeply loved by the entire John Lewis, Jr. and Paul Nick Steinauer families, Mark and Cindy Steinauer, Fylis Falk, Ron and Elaine Loch and many close friends at ENCOR services, Life Choices Program, Temple Baptist Church and in the Omaha community. VISITATION from 3pm Friday, with family receiving friends 6pm to 8pm at the West Center Chapel. SERVICES Saturday, 10am, Temple Baptist Church, 2702 N. 61 St. Interment in North Bend, NE at 2 p.m. Memorials to ENCOR.

HEAFEY-HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK & CUTLER Mortuaries and Crematories 7805 West Center Road Omaha, Nebraska 68124 (402) 391-3900

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