Ronald Monsen, 1961-2005

MONSEN

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 2/23/2009 at 07:19:08

SAN ANTONIO, Texas-Funeral services for Ronald L. Monsen, 43, of San Antonio, Texas, formerly of Estherville, will be Monday, May 16 at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Estherville with Pastor Paul Wiegman officiating. Interment to follow at the Estherville Lutheran Cemetery with military graveside rites provided by VFW Post 3388, American Legion Post 91 of Estherville. Honor Guard will be provided by Offutt- Air Force Base. He died Wednesday, May 11, 2005, at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio.

Visitation will be held at Henry-Olson-Fuhrman Funeral Chapel in Estherville from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Ronald Monsen, the son of Carroll L. and Lila (Peterson) Monsen, was born July 10, 1961, in Estherville, Iowa. He passed away Wednesday, May 11, 2005, at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, at the age of 43 years.

Ron was baptized at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Estherville. He received his education in the Estherville schools graduating from Estherville High School in 1979.

Ron enlisted in the United States Air Force and entered basic training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas, in 1982. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Wayland Baptist University in San Antonio. On May 31, 2002, Ron was united in marriage to Karena Lynn Decker in Fort Thomas, Kentucky. He made a career of the Air Force and served for twenty-three years, retiring honorably as Master Sergeant in September of 2004. During his military career he was stationed throughout the world serving in various places including England, South Korea, West Germany, Japan and Saudia Arabia as well as numerous duty stations throughout the United States. He specialized as a Morse Systems Operator and Intelligence Analyst. Ron was awarded numerous awards and decorations for his accomplishments during his distinguished career. Some of these included were, the Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Meritorius Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with four oak leaf clusters to name a few. Ron especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. In his leisure time he loved golfing and especially helping his two sons learn to golf. Other recreational activities that Ron enjoyed were fishing, hunting, trapping and being outdoors working in the yard.

Grateful for having shared Ron's life are his wife, Karena; two sons, Ronald Jr. and Adam; one daughter, Kiana all of San Antonio; his father, Carroll Monsen of Estherville; his mother, Lila Monsen of Estherville; three sisters, Karen Phillips and her husband, Jerry of Estherville; Tammy Ebel and her husband, Mark of Estherville; Mary Jane Postma and her husband, Marv of Sibley; and maternal grandmother, Vera Peterson of Britt, Iowa; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding Ron in death were his paternal grandparents and maternal grandfather.

Source: Estherville Daily News, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa; May 14, 2005.