Monica Monserud

Monica Monserud, 78, of Waterville passed away peacefully Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. A celebration of life will be held Friday, August 7 from 2-5 p.m. at the Waterville Community Center with a meal served throughout. A prayer service will follow at 5:30 p.m. with Pastor Bryan Robertson officiating. A private family graveside service will be at Waterville Cemetery. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Monica Mary Rose Monserud was born September 24, 1947, to Joe and Alberta (Hammell) Troendle. She was the sixth of 12 children, growing up in a large, close-knit family, where she learned the importance of hard work, loyalty, resilience, and always looking out for one another. She attended country school before graduating from St. George High School in Lansing, carrying those small-town values with her throughout her life.

From an early age, Monica developed an incredible work ethic. She never believed any job was beneath her and approached every opportunity with determination and pride. Throughout the years, she worked in manufacturing, at Cabela’s, and in the hospitality industry.

Mostly, she managed and owned a neighborhood bar in Waterville for more than two decades. Monica poured her heart into making it a place where everyone felt welcome. She loved the excitement of a packed house, music playing through the speakers, laughter filling the room, and a steady stream of food leaving the kitchen. She especially enjoyed preparing homemade lunch specials for local farmers, hunters, and regular customers, many of whom became lifelong friends.

Her commitment to serving others extended beyond her business. Monica proudly volunteered as an EMT with the Waterville Rescue Squad for several years. If an emergency call came in, she never hesitated to answer. Friends and customers often laughed that she would simply tell someone to “watch the bar” before heading out on an ambulance call. Helping others wasn’t something Monica did - it was simply who she was.

Family was the center of Monica’s life. She was first married to Laverne Quanrude, and together they welcomed daughter Charlotte (Quanrude) Fish. Monica later married Charles “Chuck” Weipert, having two sons, Robert Charles Weipert and Joseph Francis Weipert.

December 26, 1981, Monica married the love of her life, David Monserud. Their marriage became a beautiful example of friendship, partnership, and unconditional love. Together, they shared 45 wonderful years filled with adventures, laughter, and unwavering support for one another. Their blended family grew to include David’s son Michael David Monserud and created a home where love was abundant and everyone was welcomed.

Monica and David shared countless adventures together. They loved traveling to NASCAR and stock car races, taking camping, fishing, and snowmobiling trips, and spending weekends with friends. Whether sitting around a campfire, casting a fishing line into a quiet lake, or cheering from the grandstands at a race, Monica treasured every moment spent with those she loved.

She also found joy in life’s simpler pleasures. Monica enjoyed gardening, reading, crocheting, playing cards, competing in pool and euchre leagues, and spending evenings surrounded by family and friends. She cherished the many “sisters trips” she took with her sisters over the years, creating memories and laughter that remained close to her heart. Growing up with 11 siblings meant she was never short on stories, laughter, or lifelong friendships. Above all else, Monica loved being surrounded by family.

Holiday gatherings became treasured traditions in her home. She delighted in cooking meals, hosting celebrations, and filling her house with children, grandchildren, and eventually great-grandchildren. Nothing brought her greater happiness than hearing the joyful sounds of family together under one roof. As her family continued to grow, so did her heart.

Anyone who knew Monica knew she possessed an unforgettable personality. She was honest to a fault and never hesitated to speak her mind. If she thought you needed to hear something, she would tell you, but it always came from a place of love. Her quick wit, sharp sense of humor, and playful teasing became legendary among family and friends. She loved telling her favorite “Ole and Lena” jokes and had an uncanny ability to make people laugh until their stomachs hurt. Her laughter was contagious and her smile could brighten even the darkest day.

During the last year of her life, as her health limited her ability to get out and about, Monica found comfort in spending quiet days at home with her beloved dog Maisey. Their companionship brought her peace and Maisey rarely left her side.

Monica leaves behind a family who adored her and will forever treasure the love she gave so freely. She is survived by her devoted husband Dave Monserud; her daughter Charlotte (Dave) Fish; her sons: Robert Charles (Gabby) Weipert, Joseph Francis Weipert, and Michael (Robin) Monserud; her mother-in-law Pauline Monserud; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; her brothers and sisters: John, Jerry, George, Joe, and Jim Troendle, Alice Clemments, Betsy Shew, Ann Delaney, Mary Ann Kelly, and Lucy Hilleshiem; and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends, and extended family members whose lives were forever enriched by knowing her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Alberta Troendle; her brother Victor Troendle; and her father and mother-in-law, Odin and Margaret Monserud.

To know Monica was to know unconditional love, fierce loyalty, hard work, generosity, and laughter. She was the kind of person who never met a stranger, opened her heart and home to anyone in need, and made lifelong friends wherever she went. Her strength inspired others, her humor lifted spirits, and her love bound generations of family together.

Although her earthly journey has ended, the lessons she taught, the traditions she created, and the memories she leaves behind will continue to live on through everyone who loved her. Her legacy is found not only in the family she raised, but in every life she touched through her kindness, compassion, and unmistakable spirit.

Monica will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever carried in the hearts of those who were blessed to call her wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and simply... Monica.

Honorary urnbearers are Travis Hamm, Connor Weipert, Dennis Herman, and Chad, Dan, Jarod, JC, and Tim Kelly. Grandson Tyler Wilker will serve as urn bearer.

Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.