At the age of 91, Joan D. Monnens passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 29, 2018, at Emerald Crest Assisted Living in Shakopee, MN. She is a longtime resident of Prior Lake, MN. Joan’s life will be honored with a visitation on Thursday, October 4, from 4-7 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake and one hour prior to the Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, October 5 at 11 am, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16311 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake. Father Xavier Goulet will preside, with grandchildren acting as pallbearers. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at St. Michael Cemetery. On July 5, 1927 in Shakopee, MN, Joan Dolores was born to parents Christian and Anna (Neuzil) Rein. She was a twin to Jean and the eleventh of twelve children. Growing up during the depression years, Joan and her family made the best of life. As a young teenager, she experienced the loss of her mother. Joan finished the eighth grade and then turned her focus to helping her dad and the tasks at home. While attending a local dance hall, Joan’s life was enriched. She met a young handsome gentleman named Alvin J. Monnens. They started courting and began the next chapter in their life on February 1, 1951, when they exchanged wedding vows, at the Church of St. Mark, Shakopee, MN. This date still holds the record for the coldest day, with a balmy temperature of 28 degrees below zero. Joan and Al settled their roots in Prior Lake, where they were blessed with five children, Ann, Alan, Mary, Steve and David. Family time was most important to Joan. They enjoyed the occasional summer vacation to Al’s brother, Jerry’s, home in Richmond, MN. Countless hours were spent with extended relatives at Comache Beach in Prior Lake, enjoying all the water activities. This was a private beach for all the employees of Continental Machines, where Al worked for almost 40 years. As the children grew and Joan became a proud grandma, her home became the gathering place every Sunday afternoon. The family was always busy playing cards, watching football games, BBQing and enjoying all the outside activities. Joan never had a driver’s license or had been on an airplane. But this did not stop her and Al from enjoying some traveling with extended family and friends. In her earlier years, Joan spent many hours making clothes for the children and darning socks. In her free time, she enjoyed crafting, such as plastic canvas needlepoint, and doing word puzzles. Joan also spent quiet time putting together jigsaw puzzles and watching Wheel of Fortune. She supported Al’s military service by being a life member of the Prior Lake VFW Ladies Auxiliary and was also a longtime member of St. Michael Catholic Church. Caring, loving and devoted are all characteristics of Joan being an amazing wife, mother, grandma and great-grandma. She loved them all unconditionally! Joan will be forever loved and forever missed by children, Alan (Kathy) Monnens, Mary (Robert) Aldorfer, Steve (Danna) Monnens, Dave (rachel meger) Monnens; grandchildren, Andrew (Erin Fitterer) Devitt, Stacy (Tim) Zephirin, Jeff (Becky) Monnens, Justin Aldorfer, Jeremy Aldorfer, Jillian (Blake) Romann, Mike Monnens, Laura (Chris) Franzen; great-grandchildren, Conor Devitt, Xander Devitt, Emma Monnens, Alli Romann, Hannah Romann, Shay Romann; sisters-in-law, Lucy Rein, Lois Monnens; other family and friends. There to welcome Joan home is her husband, Alvin; daughter, Ann Devitt; parents, Christian and Anna Rein; siblings, Joe Rein, Carl Rein, Marie Rein, Christie Rein, Francis Rein, Jerome Rein, Esther Johnson, Jim Rein, BettyAnn Rein (Sister Christa), Jean Rein and Evelyn Menden. |
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Lois Eddis
Steve Bob and I wish we could could be there for you,Dave, Allan, and Mary. We are thinking of you all.
Jo Marquardt
My deepest sympathy to the entire Monnens Family. Sending hugs to all!!!
Janet Kelton
Dear Al and family,
My most sincere sympathy to you and your family at this time of sorrow. Your Mother was always so nice to me. My prayers are with you and all your family.
Blessing,
Janet Kelton
Candy Steele
I’m sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers come your way.
Barbara Houts, MD
On behalf of the physicians and staff of Crossroads Medical Center (now Allina), I wish to express my deepest sympathy at this time. Joan was such a pleasant person and I remember her fondly.
My prayers to all her family.
Barbara Houts, MD
Ellen Ryan- Krueger
Dearest Mary Jean, and the entire Monnens family. I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your Mother, regretfully I only just heard of it now and am deeply saddened that I wasn’t able to attend her Mass of Christian Burial…please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers – each of you are all such wonderfully amazing people; you each carry and share much of your Parent’s within you!! From my memories, just one little thing was omitted, that being: your Mother really knew how to throw an awesome child’s birthday party! I remember yours so well, Mary Jean from our years at St. Michael’s School, what great parties she would host for you and no doubt your siblings as well. Many Blessings upon each of you as you go through this next chapter in all your lives, may peace and solace with our Lord be yours. Again, I am sorry for the lateness of my condolences extended to you and your family for your Mother. My Prayers are now yours!!