By Worcester P. Bong
Of the numerous structures located on the grounds of the former Whipple cemetery (now the Prescott National Cemetery) in Prescott, one that stands out is a monument dedicated to the unknown soldier who has been laid to rest. This monument was built by Donald Owen Nanke, a master stonemason, and his friend, Dan Leigh.
Donald Owen Nanke was born on August 29, 1924, in Ottumwa, Iowa. He attended Iowa State Teacher’s College, where he was the captain of the football team. During World War II, he served in General Omar Bradley’s 1st U.S. Army Headquarters Group. This unit planned Operation Overlord; the codename assigned to the Allied invasion of France. Nanke was a driver, and he guarded the war room where planning of the Normandy invasion took place. In late December 1944, the 1st U.S. Army group (including Nanke) joined General Patton’s forces in the rescue of the 101st Airborne unit at the Battle of the Bulge. As a result of this involvement and other actions, Nanke received five Battle Stars (equivalent to one Silver Star).
After the war, Donald married Joan Madole on January 30, 1947, in Waterloo, Iowa. In 1948 they moved from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Sedona, Arizona, to be closer to Joan’s parents. During their early years in Arizona, Don learned the craft of stone masonry by apprenticing with Italian stonemasons who had worked on the construction of Roosevelt Dam in the early 1900’s. Don was later involved with the construction of several stone buildings at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.
In 1955 Don partnered with Dan Leigh to start Leigh & Nanke Construction. Later, Don focused on building custom homes and partnered with Howard Madole, Joan’s brother, to start Nanke Construction. The two began designing and building custom homes throughout Prescott.
Expansion plans of the Whipple Veterans Administration (VA) cemetery grounds started in 1956. Nanke’s and Leigh’s involvement with the Unknown Soldier Monument at the Whipple VA cemetery began in late 1960 or early 1961. They were contacted by the Whipple VA to construct a monument in time to be unveiled at the cemetery’s Memorial Day event on May 30, 1961. This new monument would be built on the expanded cemetery grounds, replacing an existing monument of the Unknown Soldier. Using marble provided by the cemetery, Dan Leigh cut the stone and mixed the mortar, while Don Nanke designed and assembled the monument. A May 7, 1961, Arizona Republic article reported on the upcoming ceremony and included a photograph of the newly completed monument.
Donald Nanke passed away in 2004, and his wife, Joan, passed away in 2006. They are both laid to rest in the west section of the columbarium wall at the Prescott National Cemetery. After their passing, a plaque was added at the base of the Unknown Soldier Monument noting that it was designed and built by Mr. Nanke.
Continuing the legacy of unique custom designed homes that Donald Nanke and Howard Madole started over sixty years ago, John Nanke, Don’s son, and Jared Nanke, Don’s grandson, currently guide the Nanke Signature Group of Prescott.
For many years, representatives from five Ladies Veteran Service organizations took part in decorating the monument each Memorial Day. They were the American Legion Auxiliary, Daughters of the American Revolution, Navy Mothers Club, United Spanish War Veterans Auxiliary and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Today, Gold Star Families and a selected guest of honor place wreaths on Memorial Day at the Unknown Soldier Monument at the Prescott National Cemetery. This tradition honors the fallen unknown soldier who represents many others.
“Days Past” is a collaborative project of the Sharlot Hall Museum and the Prescott Corral of Westerners International (www.prescottcorral.org). This and other Days Past articles are also available at www.archives.sharlothallmuseum.org/articles/days-past-articles/1 The public is encouraged to submit proposed articles and inquiries to dayspast@sharlothallmuseum.org Please contact SHM Research Center reference desk at 928-277-2003, or via email at archivesrequest@sharlothallmuseum.org for information or assistance with photo requests.