Rick Monson
Rick Monson, age 70, of Highlandville passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Gundersen Health Systems in La Crosse, WI. Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, May 18 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Decorah with Rev. Donald Hertges presiding. Burial was at Big Canoe Lutheran Church, rural Decorah with full military rites.
Rick Marvin Monson was born October 14, 1953, to Marvin and Ruby (Wiemerslage) Monson in Spring Grove, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Luke’s Church in Eitzen, MN.
Rick attended country school in the Dorchester area, followed by Dorchester Elementary. He completed his education at Waukon High School graduating in 1971.
August 4, 1973, Rick was united in marriage with Janice Ann Burke at St. Joseph’s Church in New Albin. To this union two children were born, Ryan and Amy.
Rick served in the United States Army Europe (Germany) with D Battery, 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery of the Seventh Army as a Pershing Missile Crewman from 1973-1975. Upon his Honorable Discharge from active duty, he served with Company B 389th Engineer Battalion, Decorah from 1975-1978. Rick was very proud of his military service and was a current 25-year member of Mabel American Legion Post 299 in Mabel, MN.
Rick began working as a farm hand on the LC Bolson Farm of rural Decorah and later for Miller’s Viewlawn Angus near Canton, MN. Moving to the community of Highlandville in 1985, Rick changed professions and began working as an appliance service technician at Hardy’s Western Auto Store in Decorah. From 1995-2016 Rick owned and operated his own repair business known as Rick’s Appliance Repair.
Community involvement included serving as an usher/greeter at St. Benedict’s Church, Highland Township Trustee, secretary for the Winneshiek County Rural Fire Board and placing American Flags on Veterans’ headstones for Memorial Day at Garness Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Mabel, MN and Newburg Methodist Church Cemetery in Newburg, MN.
Over the years, Rick enjoyed spending time with family, grandchildren and friends, deer and turkey hunting, classic cars, the Green Bay Packers, the Iowa Hawkeyes, rock-n-roll music, backyard wildlife watching, grilling and smoking meat, and being part of the Highlandville community.
Rick is survived by his wife of 50 years, Janice; his daughter, Amy (Joel) Teslow of Decorah; his grandchildren, Will, Jake and Brock Teslow; his sisters, Debra Monson of Decorah and Sandra (Marty) McFarlin of Racine, MN; his brothers-in-law, Joe Burke of Waukon, John Burke of Waukon, James Bernard Burke of New Albin, Jeff (Mary) Burke of Decorah, Jay (Becky) Burke of Austin, MN and Justin (fiancee Terri Boardman) Burke of Sutherland; his nephews, Terry, Brian, Dylan, Andrew, Joshua, Jesse, Jordan, Judd, Eric and Clayton; his nieces, Tracy, Emily, Sarah, Samantha, Kara, Courtney, Brittany, Katie, Alison and Briana; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
Rick was preceded in death by his son, Ryan Monson, in 2002; his father and mother, Marvin and Ruby Monson; his father- and mother-in-law, Ray and Betty Burke; his sister, Mary Kay Lund; his brothers-in-law, Wyatt Christopherson, Jerry Burke and Oscar Lund; his nephews, Scott Lund, Jeremiah Burke, Jackson Burke and Jamison Burke; and a great-niece, Christine Lund.
