Willis E. Monke

Willis E. Monke, 87, of Olathe, Kansas, died Sunday, December 18, 2016, at Nottingham Health & Rehab Center, Olathe, Kansas.

Willis was born July 4, 1929, on his parent's, John and Freida (Pertner) Monke, farm near Regent, North Dakota. He attended grade school at a country school near his home riding his horse, Duke, there each day. He graduated from Regent High School and attended several years of veterinary school in Logan, Utah.

He returned home to work on the family farm. On December 26, 1952, he married his wife and the love of his life, Alma M. Hartman, at Zion Lutheran Church, Regent, North Dakota. After their honeymoon in the southwest, Willis was drafted to the Army where he served in Company F of the 44th Infantry at Ft. Lewis, Washington. They resided in Olympia, Washington, until he was honorably discharged.

They returned to North Dakota and began farming north of Regent. In 1957 their daughter, Rhonda, was born and to make school more accessible, they moved into Regent where they remained for many years. He excelled at diversified farming with cattle and grain crops and was especially skilled at working with animals and wildlife. Willis and Alma later retired from farming and moved to Dickinson, North Dakota. Their marriage was blessed with 55 years and Alma preceded him in death on August 28, 2007. He resided in Dickinson for four more years before moving to Olathe, Kansas, to share a home with his daughter, Rhonda.

Willis enjoyed reading, wood working, building and repairing things with his hands, their many pets, horses and all wildlife. Playing, rebuilding and repairing stringed instruments and music were a source of relaxation for him and he had a natural gift for music.

Willis is survived by his daughter, Rhonda, and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John H. and Freida J. Monke, his wife, Alma, and his brothers and sisters: Edwin, Ralph, Clara (Kraft), Alma (Sherman), Elmer, Henry, Ruth (Schemberger), Irvin and Rufus and their spouses.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, December 28, 2016, at College Church of the Nazarene – Garrett Chapel in Olathe, KS, with visitation following until 4:00 PM.

The family suggests memorial contributions be given to Shepherd's Care Ministry and/or the Beadle House. Please send in c/o College Church of the Nazarene, 2020 E. Sheridan, Olathe, KS 66062.





To leave a special message for his family or to share a memory of Willis, please click on the "Share Memories" tab above or scroll down below.