Phyllis J. Monke, age 91, of Fremont.
She passed away on March 22, 2024, at The Heritage at Shalimar Gardens in Fremont.
Phyllis Monke was born Oct. 3, 1932, to Arthur and Josie Rowe. Phyllis was raised and baptized in the
First Christian Church, and her faith was always important to her. She went to school in Fremont and was a proud graduate of the FHS Class of 1950. She attended many class reunions over the years, even a virtual Zoom reunion this past fall, and remained good friends with many of her classmates.
In 1953, Phyllis flew by herself to Hawaii to marry her sweetheart, Bob Monke, who was stationed in the Navy in Honolulu. After Bob’s discharge they settled on a farm north of Arlington (Telbasta) and raised their three children there. After Bob’s retirement, they moved to Fremont.
Phyllis enjoyed playing Bridge and was a member of both a ladies’ and couples’ bridge club. She loved
spending time with her family, especially her grandkids. She was a great “missionary mama,” writing emails, praying and visiting her kids overseas. She always had homemade chocolate chip cookies in the freezer (in coffee cans) ready for any visitors. Phyllis was known for her quick wit and love of laughter, keeping us entertained with one-liners even in her last weeks. After Bob passed away in 2015, Phyllis moved into the Heritage at Shalimar Gardens, where she made more wonderful friends, especially Jane Johnson (Thelma and Louise to the staff). We are truly indebted to the wonderful people at Shalimar who made her life so much better for these past nine years.
Phyllis is survived by her children, Tom (Rose) Monke of Arlington, Cindy (Dean) Lindgren of Omaha, and Jean (Jon) Katt of Herman, brother Ron (Connie) Rowe of Fremont, nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren Mike (Tricia) Monke, Braden, Wes and Grant; Brian (Kelly) Monke and Eli; Sarah (Ben) Bradley, Sam and Willa; Zach (Shaye) Lindgren and Sloane; Heidi Lindgren; Holly (Jonathan) DeHoog; Justin (Jada) Katt, Barrett and Beau; Jordan (Sarah) Katt, Elizabeth, Lucy and Margaret; and Austin (Michelle) Katt, Miles and Macy; sister-in-law Muriel Keeler of Fremont, brother-in-law Dick Teebken of Fremont. She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Bob, brothers Robert Rowe and Ray Rowe, brothers- and sisters-in-law, Jean Rowe, Bette Rowe, Bill and Helen Monke, Ruth Teebken, Don Ringle and Jim Keeler.
The funeral will be 10 a.m., Thursday, March 28, 2024, at the Fremont First United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Salem Lutheran Cemetery in Fontanelle. Visitation will be Wednesday from 3-8 p.m. with the family present from 6-8 p.m. at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel in Fremont. Memorials to the family for later designation.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
