Hilda E. Monska, a resident of Brookdale Place of Albuquerque, formerly of Decatur, died July 18th, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Visitation will take place on Friday, July 22 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Dawson & Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home in Decatur, Illinois. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, July 23, at 10:00 a.m., officiated by Pastor Robert L. Bruer at Concordia Lutheran Church in Decatur, Illinois. Burial will take place at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery, Decatur, Illinois.
Hilda is survived by her three children, Carl Monska (Linda) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Paul Monska, Jr. (Marti), of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Pamela Adams (Danny) of Denver, Colorado; six grandchildren, Douglas Monska, Darbi Monska, Vanessa Badolato, Nikki Reilly, Jessica Sposato, Owen Monska; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Monska, Sr., and sister, Erna Pietruska of Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
Hilda was born on September 20, 1919, to Marie and Gustav Tonk in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. She came with her parents and sister to the United States in 1922. Her family settled in Decatur, Illinois, where her father found work in the coal mines of Central Illinois. She married Paul Monska on April 10, 1939. Hilda's Christian faith and German heritage forged an important part of her character as her life was lived out in humor with a zest for living, love of family, and an abundance of friends. She and her husband were longtime members of St. John's Lutheran and Concordia Lutheran Church in Decatur. Her outgoing and positive nature endeared her to many, including strangers she met for the first time. After his retirement, she and her husband, Paul, made numerous trips to Germany and traveled extensively throughout the United States to visit their children and grandchildren. In 2007, she moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she lived independently before moving to Brookdale Place Assisted Living. In her later years nothing pleased her more than being surrounded by members of her family who loved her dearly. Memorial contributions may be made to DMH Hospice Care in Decatur, Illinois.
“A Life Celebration Home”
| Diane Rutherford |
Family friend |
August 6, 2011 |
Spending time with Hilda was always a treat. She told wonderful stories and kept us laughing. She was like a character in a fairy tale--kind, vivacious, and cute as could be. She'll be greatly missed.
| Cathy Brown Force |
friend of family |
July 27, 2011 |
Pam - I'm so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. When I read about it in the paper, I called my dad, Dr. Jack T. Brown, and we reminisced about the years we worked together in Decatur. You made work more fun with Betty and the office staff in the dental office. Please extend our sympathy to your family. Cathy Force
| Greg Rambo |
distant cousin |
July 21, 2011 |
To the family of Hilda, my Grandma Emma's sister in law...my Dad, Jack, moved us to Florida when I was in 4th grade. My parents always made the trip home to visit both sides of the family. So on very many occasions I got to spend time at family gatherings and Aunt Hilda and Uncle Paul were always there...thanks to Bette and Red! Who could ever forget Hilda's sweet smile and quiet disposition, especially with family, never intruding, just being her blessed self. So many years have passed, but the picture you posted is the way I will always remember her. Thank you for your sharing. Greg Rambo
