Easton, Monte Ray 1937-2008

EASTON, WOODS, DONNELL

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 12/29/2008 at 10:34:02

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, December 26, 2008

Monte Easton, 71, of Le Mars was called to his heavenly home Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008, after a battle with cancer.

Monte Ray Easton was born Nov. 2, 1937, in Le Mars, the son of James A. and Eva (Woods) Easton. He attended country school and graduated with the class of 1957 from Merrill High School. Following graduation, he moved to Chicago, Ill., and worked for Capitol Airlines. He later moved back to Iowa and took up farming.

Monte was united in marriage to Patricia "Pat" Donnell on Dec. 3, 1965 in Sioux City. They lived on their farm in rural Hawarden, then Le Mars, Moville, and back to Le Mars. Monte retired in 2000 after working for the Le Mars Community Schools for several years. Monte and Pat were blessed with two sons, Paul and Michael.

Monte loved flowers and enjoyed his many years of flower gardening. One of his joys was sharing his plants with friends. Many family and friends now have "Monte plants" growing in there gardens. He also enjoyed woodworking and has made many handcrafted wood items that people will remember him by.

Monte will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 43 years, Pat of Le Mars; two sons, Paul Easton of Le Mars and his former wife Cris and their son Samuel of Gardner, Kan., and Michael Easton and his wife Rhonda of Sergeant Bluff and their children Madison, Taylor, and Landon; two sisters, Betty Anderson of Longview, Wash., and Bonnie Snaza of Vashon, Wash.; two brothers, Joe Easton and his wife Eunice of Ames, and Jim Easton and his wife Lorna of Hawarden; two sisters-in-law, Linda Van Tuyl and Kathleen Kearins and her husband Jim all of Sioux City; and several nieces and nephews.

Monte was preceded in death by his parents, James A. and Eva (Woods) Easton; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Leonard "Buck" and Alma Donnell; and three brothers-in-law, Ted Anderson, Bud Snaza, and Tom Van Tuyl.

Funeral services will be 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, at Grace Lutheran Church in Le Mars with Vicar Ed Durand officiating. Following his wishes, Monte was cremated. Visitations with the family present will be after 5 p.m. Monday evening at the church. Arrangements are with the Carlsen Funeral Home of Le Mars.