Gary Monson

Gary D. Monson, 73, fought the good fight against an enemy that doesn't like to lose, cancer. He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in June and died on Oct. 28 at Wissota Health and Regional Vent Center in Chippewa Falls, WI.
Gary was born on July 30, 1944 in Whitehall WI, the son of Gilmen and Doris (Anderson) Monson. He spent most of his elementary years at a small, one room school called Brick Riverview. It was a three mile walk each day but farm kids were used to that. He graduated from Eleva-Strum High School in 1962 and went to work at Bush Brothers in Augusta.
Gary met his life partner, Roseann Langner, at a high school sock-hop and they were married on Oct. 23, 1965. He promised her he would not be a farmer but after a couple years in St. Paul, MN and Eau Claire, WI, his farming genes kicked in and he purchased his father's farm. That's where they raised their three sons and he resided the rest of his life. He was so pleased when his eldest son took over the farm and he watched him and his grandson work the land. Gary and Roseann owned two bars in Strum for 10 years and a liquor-cheese store in Osseo for 13 years.
Gary loved talking to people and he had a fantastic memory for names. It could be 30 years since he'd seen someone but he would still recognize them and remember their names. Even when he got sick, he would ask the nurses and aides about their families and find some connection to someone he knew. He also liked telling stories and had hundreds of them to tell, some that made his wife cringe. Gary liked being involved in the community and served as Chairman of the Town of Unity for 34 years. He also spent several years on the Trempealeau Co. Board of Supervisors and 22 years on the Trempealeau Co. Land Conservation Committee. He also served on the board of River Valley Mutual Ins. Co.
When Gary and Roseann got married, he joined her home church, St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, German Valley, Rural Whitehall, WI. Even though he was Norwegian, they let him in and he served on the church council many times in various positions.
Gary loved to dance, especially Polkas, and he always said he could dance all day. If his partner got tired, he would ask another smiling woman to dance. Gary and Roseann traveled to MN, IA, and even Las Vegas to dance. They made many wonderful dancing friends. Gary was so proud of his sons and so happy that his grandchildren all lived within three miles. He went to all their ballgames and other activities that he could and was so looking forward to watching his two grandsons play basketball this year. He didn't have any daughters so his two granddaughters were extra precious to him.
Gary will be sadly missed by his wife of 52 years, Roseann; Sons, Anthony (Tami) of Strum, Kristian (Diane) of Strum, and Kelly (Stefani) of St. Paul MN; grandchildren, Garen (Stephanie Knutson); Greta; Gabe; Paige; and Brady.
He is also survived by a sister, Beverly (Mike) Michels, Eleva; sister-in-law, Rachael Herman (Gene Semb) of Pleasantville; sister-in-law, Jeanne Langner, Rice Lake; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilmen and Doris Monson; brother, Wayne; parents-in-law, Ernest and Eva Langner; brothers-in-law, Ronald Langner and Ralph Herman.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017 at 11:00 am at St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, Rural Whitehall with Rev. Dennis Voss officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Visitation was held from 4-7 pm on Tuesday, Oct. 31 at Schiefelbein Funeral Home, Osseo, WI and 1 hour before services on Wednesday at the church.