Andrew E. Monson
Andrew Monson, 85, of Rancho Mirage, California passed away Friday, January 29, 2016.
He was born in Sidney, Montana, September 2, 1930, to Ada C. (Norby) and Andrew E. Monson.
He grew up in Dore, North Dakota, where his father managed the grain elevator.
He graduated from Fairview High School, Class of 1948, Fairview, Montana, where he played for multiple years on the basketball team.
He obtained his BA in business administration from the University of Washington, Seattle.
He married Edna May Shaide, in Sidney, Montana, June 29, 1951. At the beginning of their married life, Andy and Edna resided in Seattle, moving to Mercer Island in 1963. They had 2 children together, Jane and Mark. Edna passed away June 9, 1981.
He married Margot Atchison, August 25, 2005.
He retired from Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, Mercer Island as Vice President of Personnel. He also participated in the operation of Edna’s small grain farm, continuing that endeavor until approximately 2013.
His membership/club interests were: President of the Chamber of Commerce, Mercer Island, member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, ELCA Synod, Indian Guides, and Sons of Norway, his father having emigrated from Norway and his mother being of Norwegian descent. He was proud of his Norse heritage.
Andy was a real renaissance man when it came to being handy – he was referred to as “Handy Andy” by his immediate family. He was blessed with a General Contractor level of ability. He was proficient at furniture building, concrete pouring, electrical work, gardening, and automotive repair to mention a few of his money saving skills. His children did not realize until later that not every dad was so multi-skilled.
He enjoyed Jazz music, pen and ink drawing, oil painting, bridge, crossword puzzles, downhill skiing, (that interest added when he was in his mid-40s), basketball, coaching the University of Washington Huskies football team from his easy chair in the family room, fly fishing, camping, traveling to domestic as well as many foreign destinations – Norway being one of them. He also was a nattily attired man.
Andrew is survived by his second wife, Margot, Rancho Mirage, CA, and his daughter, Jane Monson (Dr. Dennis Toom), Grand Forks, ND.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Ada Monson, his in-laws Edward and Ida C. (Wold) Shaide, brother E. Dale Monson, sisters Ruth Poe and Mary Ann Nelson, his first wife, Edna May and his son Mark.
Blessed be the memory of Andrew.
The family is in the care of Forest Lawn, Cathedral City, California and Fulkerson Funeral Home, Sidney, Montana. A private service was held Tuesday, February 2nd, by the Reverend Jennifer Shaw, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Palm Desert in the Ramon Chapel, Forest Lawn, Cathedral City, California. Interment will be at a later date at Riverview Cemetery, Williston, North Dakota, beside Edna.
Memorial donations may be made to: American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10305. Please indicate if sending a check, on the memo line: memoriam for Andrew Monson. Web site address: www.apdaparkinson.org
