Geraldine "Jerry" Monk

Geraldine “Jerry” Monk of Altoona passed away in her home on December 12th after being lovingly cared for by her family.

She is survived by her son, Randy Monk of Ankeny, and daughter, Dee (Alan) Westphal of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Also surviving are her nine grandchildren: Nickalena Monk Bedwell, Alexandria Monk, Abigail Monk, Madelyn Monk, Michael Westphal, Melissa Westphal Doporcyk, Katie Westphal Rashid, Brian Schaffer and Kelly Schaffer, along with great granddaughter, Kelsey Copic Weiss, and many more great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Jerry was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Ellis Monk; son, Tom Monk, daughter-in-law, Tracy Vannatta Monk, and daughter, Terry Monk Barr.

As we come together today to honor our mother and grandmother, we cannot help but look back at her long standing marriage of 59-years that impacted us all. Often when describing her life she could be heard saying: “I’ve been married my whole life” and it surely felt that way since she was such a young girl when she found her true love.

She was only 17 when she joined her church basketball team which was coached by a 23-year-old handsome widower with a young son. It did not take long, for our father to recognize her beauty, bubbly personality and strong character. He proposed to the senior high school student and the wedding was set for December of that year. She completed her high school education in a single semester but not without some help according to our dad. He used to say; "the only way she got through is because I wrote all her papers." This is such a funny, great memory for our family and very characteristic of the playful love they had for one another. She was his biggest support both in business, where she kept the books for years, and in their personal life where she raised his firstborn with as much love and devotion as she had for her own firstborn and daughter. She had a beautiful heart and went on to adopt a young teenage girl who she loved fiercely and fervently- saving her from a motherless life and giving her a home when she needed it most.

Together they were a force to be reckoned with. They faced much adversity together as well as the many joyful things that come to us in life. We are so grateful for their example.

Mom was a stalwart and strong support to husband and family. She was funny, forgiving, faithful, and witty. She taught us how to face life and its hard knocks with much grace. She was a farm girl at heart, who loved gardening, showing her pigs at the Iowa state fair and her love of nature is reflected strongly in the things she loved to paint.

She was her family’s strongest ally and fought on their side whether they were right or wrong. She had a way of making all her loved ones feel as though they were her very favorite. Her constant love was just that - never moving, unshakable, and unwavering to her very last. She taught us the true meaning of loyalty and we will celebrate her love and memory forever.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 17, 2019, with visitation one hour prior, at Hamilton’s Altoona Funeral Home, 105 4th Street SW. Burial will follow at the Altoona Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Za-Ga-Zig Shrine in loving memory of Jerry.

Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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