Terrence (Terry) J. Monson

Terrence Jay Monson, age 69, was suddenly called to his heavenly home and Savior on November 25^th, 2018. Services will be held at 12:00 Noon Monday, December 3, at Zion Lutheran Church, 413 Avenue D East., Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Sunday, December 2, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 4:00 pm.

Terrence was born May 16, 1949, son of Millard and Lucienne Monson, of Hatton, ND. His upbringing on the family farm shaped his strong, dependable work ethic throughout his life. Learning to drive trucks and tractors at the age of seven, he had an early role in the success of his parents’ farm.

He first attended Union #54 country school and then transferred to Hatton Public School. He competed and excelled in all sports, but his main passion was always football. After his high school years on the football field, spectating remained his lifelong pastime. Up to his final day, his plans revolved around which college or pro game to watch, often two games at a time (thanks to his TV remote), sometimes listening to yet a third game on the radio.

Terry met Joanne Moen by chance at the Hatton junior prom; each attended, however, with different dates… The four shared the same table, and both boys accidentally went home with each other’s identical camera. To his surprise, Terry developed pictures of Joanne and her date. As it turned out, Terry and Joanne became an item on Thanksgiving Day, 1966. They married on June 21, 1970, the traditional anniversary date of Terry’s parents and grandparents, and made their first home in Killdeer, ND.

Terry first attended college at Mayville State, later graduating at Dickinson State in 1971. He then served in the ND Army National Guard from 1971-1977. This farm kid was a natural marksman, but not a fan of the bivouacs (grueling two-week camping drills) in the rain and heat. Consequently, Terry and Joanne never once felt the urge to buy a camper or tent.

After two years working as Social Service Director at San Haven State Hospital, the couple and baby Valerie moved to Napoleon, ND. He began an 18-year career with Aid Association for Lutherans, which, in two years, required a move to Bismarck, with new baby Rachelle in tow. In 1984, bonus baby Katie made for a happy, lively family of five. Terry then spent three years working for Lutheran Brotherhood (both firms later merged as Thrivent Financial). In 1993, he became a Social Security disability specialist for The Advocates, representing claimants in appeals and court hearings. He helped countless disabled individuals and guided them through a long and complex process, which often took more than a year to resolve. He was still working but nearly retired at the time of his sudden death.

Terry was a loving, easy-going husband and father, gifted with the infinite patience necessary to live in a houseful of four girls. His hugs reached the soul and could heal any ailment. His booming, authoritative voice was tempered with a sarcastic and goofy sense of humor. His laugh was the loudest in the entire theater. He could find anything lost in the house: shoes, homework, keys, earrings, and he had an unusual knack for finding coins, $5 bills, a few $20s, and countless other valuables on his walks or in parking lots. He attributed his good luck to being observant, watching his step, and remembering to occasionally look down. He was always prepared, and never without a flashlight or a Pilot pen.

He was a man of unwavering faith and devotion to family, friends and clients. He had a way of fixing anyone’s problem, giving advice and generously taking an active role in the solution. He was a regular blood donor over four decades. As a designated donor, he ultimately gave the life-giving gifts of marrow, muscle/skin tissues, and corneas.

His mind was a steel trap, remembering names, dates and family events as if they’d happened yesterday. He was a voracious reader and history buff, laser-focused on any and all aspects of World War II, where he felt an especially personal connection: his own father served and his parents married at the height of WWII. The sacrifices that he and others made for our nation’s freedom never seemed far from his mind.  

Words cannot express how deeply Terry will be missed by his wife, Joanne; daughters, Valerie (David Hudson), Rachelle, Katie (Tim Bladow), and beloved “grand-dog”, Lucy, Fargo; sister, Vicky Burton (Lee), Winneconne, WI; brother John Monson (Shirley), and mother Lucienne (age 96), all of Hatton, ND, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Millard.