Ronald J. Monka, 82, of Manitowoc, passed away on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at River’s Bend Health Services under the care of Holy Family Memorial Hospice.
He was born on August 4, 1938 in Two Rivers to the late Zeno and Irene (Wisneski) Monka. Ronald attended and graduated from Washington High School with the class of 1956. He went on to attend the Manitowoc County Teachers College and U.W. Oshkosh completing his bachelor’s degree in 1967 and his master’s degree in 1972. Ronald served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1957 until 1962. In 1963 he married Mary Ann Marx and she preceded him in death on December 1, 1982. He then married Gail Kolar on August 14, 1987 in Manitowoc. Ronald had a teaching career that spanned 32 years in the Two Rivers Public School District, retiring in 1997.
Ronald was a member of the former Holy Innocents Catholic Church and St. Francis of Assisi Parish. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and tending his flower and vegetable gardens. He was regarded as a jack-of-all-trades by family and friends, and he especially enjoyed building decks and fishing rods. He relished the time with his grandchildren and always enjoyed sharing a good story.
Survivors include his son, Wayne (Andrea) Monka of Manitowoc; grandchildren, Tony, Alycia, and Austin; and five great-grandchildren; son, Craig Monka of The Colony, Texas; and grandchildren, Nicole and Jakob; daughter, Holly Monka of Tucson, Arizona; daughter, Gina Monka of Manitowoc; brother, John (Dianne) Monka of Manitowoc; sisters, Rosemary (Lee) Heideman of Two Rivers and Mary Jo Haban of Two Rivers; sister-in-law, Phyllis Monka of Merrill; step-children, Russ, Cory, Pat, Dave, Jeff, Greg, and their families; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Zeno and Irene Monka, brothers, Ken Monka and Richard Monka; and great-grandson, Malachi Moore.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 25, 2021 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Waldo, 1121 North 14th Street, Manitowoc. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Jason Blahnik. Family and friends may call beginning at 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Services at the church will conclude with military honors accorded by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #731. Cremation will take place at the Harrigan Parkside Crematory and Chapel with private burial of the urn at a later date. Following the services, a luncheon for family and friends will be held at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center, 620 North Water Street, located on the south property of the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Gumby’s Club Fore A Cure, Manitowoc, or Pink Heals of Manitowoc County.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
