Bernice Monson

Bernice “Perk” Ellen Monson, 93, of Albert Lea, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at Oak Park Place in Albert Lea.

Born on June 29, 1931, Perk was a daughter of the late Albert and Alvina (Herman) Kalis. She was raised on the family farm outside of Walters, MN. After graduating from Kiester High School in 1949, Perk completed teacher training at the Wells Normal School and obtained a secondary degree at Mankato State College. She taught at country schools in the Wells area. 

On May 25, 1953, Perk was united in marriage to Donald “Moose” Monson at St. Theodore’s Catholic Church in Albert Lea. They resided in Alden, MN where they raised their seven children. 

Perk’s love of nature was born from growing up on the farm where she helped tend the garden and care for the animals. She especially loved watching the chickens and gathering their eggs. 

Perk had a strong faith. She taught her kids to pray before school each day and was proud to bring them to St. Theodore’s Saturday night Mass where they would almost take up the entire pew. After the kids were grown, Perk became a Eucharistic Minister. 

Perk encouraged her children to be active and supported their varied interests. She was a Scout Leader and enjoyed helping the kids earn their badges. 

After raising her children, Perk went back to work and found her perfect fit as a Vet Assistant at the Alden Vet Clinic. She loved helping with the animals and dispatching the vets to their next farm call.

In retirement, she found her niche by volunteering in the community. She was active with Meals on Wheels, the Food Shelf, the Alden Museum, Quilting Club, Bones, Red Hat Ladies and Tuesday Club, but her favorite was the Reader’s Theatre. Reader’s Theatre was a group of volunteer seniors who would plan and perform a play for grades K-3 at Alden Elementary. In 2014, Perk was awarded the Freeborn County Outstanding Senior Citizen and represented her county at the Minnesota State Fair. 

When not volunteering, you could find Perk riding her trike or scooter around the lake, helping her daughters with gardening and canning or gathering treasures at garage sales. She also loved puzzles, crafting, bird-watching and singing Christmas Carols all year round. 

She will be greatly missed by her seven children: Maurie (Deb) Monson of Albert Lea, Ron (Brenda) Monson of Naples, FL, Al (Jean) Monson of Mansfield, Janelle VanEngelenburg (Troy Prescher) of Alden, Greg (Lorri) Monson of Williamsburg, VA, Julie (Pat) Aldrich of Stewartville, Barb (Jim) Buckley of Walters, MN; Grandchildren: Chrissy (Mikey) Robinson, Ian (Diana) Monson, Cory (special friend Shannon) Monson, Kelsey Monson, Katie Monson, Vinnie VanEngelenburg, Erin (Doug) Mensen, Jordan Prescher, Kahla (Kaleb) DeCook, Matt Aldrich, Kristen (Sherman) Crane, Kelsey Buckley; Great-grandchildren: Elleanna Robinson, Jonah and Sylvia Mierow, Grace and Marnie Malovani-Mierow, Kendall and Nolan Monson, Kamri and Riley Reichl, Rosie Peterson, Lilly Hines, Gabe and Evie Mensen, Beau and Cameron DeCook, and 2 more on the way!

Sisters: Margaret Ward, Mapleton, Lorraine (Don) Schroeder, Mishawaka, IN, Pat (Tom) Arett, Chesterfield, MO; sister-in-law: Pat Kalis, Albert Lea; brothers: Albert (Sharon) Kalis, Montgomery; Mike (Georgia) Kalis, Albert Lea and several nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her parents, Perk was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; sisters, Helen Flattum and Marie Motl; brothers, David Kalis and an infant brother, John.

The family will receive friends at a visitation to be held from 2:00- 4:00PM on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at Bonnerup Funeral & Cremation Services in Albert Lea. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00AM on Monday, January 20, 2025, at St. Theodore Catholic Church in Albert Lea, with a visitation beginning at 10:00AM at the church. Burial will be held at St. Theodore’s Catholic Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Croix Hospice, 2580 Bridge Ave., Albert Lea, MN, 56007 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601.