Mary I. Monpas

Mary Monpas, 68, of Chippewa Falls, died peacefully at home, under the care of St. Croix Hospice, on Friday, July 19, 2024.

On June 5, 1956, Mary was the second child born to Kenneth and Donna (Miller) Monpas. She grew up in Jim Falls with her brothers and sisters. Mary was born with a developmental disability and attended special schools in her youth. She did not learn how to read or do math, but she also did not let that define her. She was very determined and purposefully minded, always noticing subtle things and showing deep care and compassion for others. She developed a special connection with children. As the family grew, she cultivated that connection by helping to care for several of her siblings’ children. If there was a baby around, she wanted to hold it, and was very skilled at calming them when needed.

Mary moved to Chippewa Falls and worked at Burger King and Chippewa River Industries. Mary’s dream job was to be a baby teacher. With Warren’s help reading the coursework to her, and having the tests proctored, she passed the licensing requirements and became a daycare worker. She went on to work at Helping Hands Daycare which later became Tiny Tree Academy. Mary worked her dream job proudly teaching babies and one-year olds for 11 years. When she was needed to fill an important role at home, Mary selflessly retired and spent the last 4 years assisting Warren in the care of his granddaughter Bethany after he took guardianship. Mary loved watering her plants and caring for the birds around her home, keeping fresh water in the birdbaths and monitoring the bird feeders. Many families of birds have grown to rely on the resources she provided.

Mary was very sociable and loved getting and making phone calls with friends and family. She mastered the calendar and was a birthday savant. Everyone whose birthday she knew could count on a call from her on their birthday. She also liked writing Birthday notes in driveway chalk to surprise someone. She loved her holidays and made a point to decorate appropriately as each approached. She loved Christmas the most and would watch Christmas movies year around with her sister Teri. She always diligently sent Christmas cards each year by copying the name and address information from an address book she kept. When the Elf on the Shelf started to come for Bethany, Mary was swept right into the awe and excitement and both of them would wake eagerly each morning to see what it did that night when it was in season. She was a unique blend of childlike wonder and serious adult responsibility with an always cheery sunny disposition. Those of us that got to share time with her were truly blessed.

She participated in Chippewa Pals events and was a valued member of her peer group there, helping at the meetings where she could, and always looking forward to the next one. She participated in the Special Olympics and won many ribbons over the years. She also loved doing sticker puzzles and making pad holders aka potholders.

Mary is survived by her significant other, Warren Kerola; siblings, Teri Kerola, Joan (Orlando) Perez, Kathy Sippy, Anita (Randy) Rubenzer, Deanna (Robert) Bethea, Angie Rogge (John Mickesh), Patti (Dale) Zwiefelhofer, Chris (Ed) Enger, Kenny (Kristine) Monpas, Robert Monpas, and Jackie Monpas (Joel Woodruff); nieces and nephews, Kisha Hardy, Brandon Sippy, Luke Lazarz, Alena Gadke, Ashley Riley, Alexa Moss, Chasten Rogge, Ciera Logslett, Christopher Ward, Naomi Akins, Jesse Zwiefelhofer, Austin Zwiefelhofer, Gage Monpas, Adriene Monpas, Kenton Monpas, Paige Zivcic, Nick Bethea, Karlee Boone, Morgan Zerbian. Extended family, stepchildren, Matthew Kerola (Kristine Woellner), Joseph Kerola (Heather Cronin); step-grandchildren, Dylan Kerola, Olivia Kerola, Bethany Kerola, Melina Kerola; along with many other loving family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

The Funeral Service will be at held at 12 noon on Monday, July 29, 2024, at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, 44 E. Columbia St., Chippewa Falls with a visitation beginning at 10 a.m.