JAMES J. MONKA

(1932 - 2006)

James J. Monka, age 73, of 2452 Paul Road, Manitowoc, died Thursday morning, March 16, 2006, at his home.

Jim was born June 29, 1932, in Two Rivers, son of the late Jerome and Evelyn (Fencil) Monka. He graduated from Manitowoc Lincoln High School with the class of 1950. On May 4, 1957, he married JoAnn Stadler at Holy Innocents Catholic Church, Manitowoc. Jim was employed at Manitowoc Equipment Works/Kelvinator for 33 years and for Jones Intercable and St. Boniface Parish prior to his retirement in 1990. Jim was very active in the Sea Scouts in Manitowoc, and the athletic program at St. Boniface School where he was a longtime member of the Athletic Club, serving as president for many years. Jim loved life — he loved the Packers, the Badgers, the Ships, the Jets, and the Lancers. He loved spending his winters in Texas, then resorting in Wild Rose during the summer, where he golfed with his buddies, watched ball games, played many a good game of cribbage, and enjoyed happy hours around the campfire with friends. But he especially loved his family — JoAnn, his wife of almost 50 years, his children, and his beautiful granddaughters.

Survivors include his wife, JoAnn Monka; two daughters and sons-in-law: Linda Staffaroni and her husband Joel, Neenah., and Susan Carlson and her husband Daniel, Green Bay; two sons and daughters-in-law: James Monka Jr. and his wife Linda, Wyocena: and Steven Monka and his wife Jean, Manitowoc; five granddaughters ("his girls"): Lindsay Staffaroni, Appleton: Trisha Monka, Eau Claire: Karley Monka, Manitowoc; and Kaitlyn and Brittany Carlson, Green Bay; three step-grandchildren: Mackenzie Mraz, Manitowoc; Roger Kuether and Jennifer Horton, Wyocena: and four step-great-grandchildren. He is further survived by his brother: Charles Monka and his wife Carol, Tucson, Ariz.; the following brothers-and sisters-in-law: Dolores and Tony Kubis and Mary and Bill Green, all of Manitowoc; Wayne and Marilyn Stadler, Two Rivers; Dorothy Gauthier, Sturgeon Bay; and Joseph and Mary Ann Stadler, Thomson, Ga.; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his father-and mother-in-law, Joseph and Emma Stadler: a nephew, Michael Monka; a niece, Sharon Kubis Bosserman; and two brothers-in-law: Ronald Stadler and Omer James Gauthier.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, March 20, 2006, at St. Francis of Assisi on Waldo, Manitowoc. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be the Rev. Daniel Felton. Cremation will have taken place.

The family will greet relatives and friends at St. Francis of Assisi on Waldo. Manitowoc, from 12:30 p.m. Monday, March 20, 2006. until the time of service at 2 p.m. The Pfeffer funeral Home & Cremation Care Center, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Holy Family Hospital, especially in the departments of CCU Respiratory Care, Short Stay and Physical Therapy, for their gentle and compassionate care of Jim and his family over the last eighteen months.

Dad (Grampy-Boppy), you were the light of our lives; you will be deeply missed.

Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter , Wis., Saturday, March 18, 2006 pg. A3

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