KENNETH A. "LITTLE KENNY" MONSON

KENNETH A. MONSON Kenneth Alfred “Little Kenny” Monson, 93, Cooperstown, ND passed away peacefully, Thursday, May 12, 2011 in the Cooperstown Medical Center Hospital, Cooperstown, ND. He was born June 17, 1917 in rural Hampden, ND to Oliver Mons Monson and Anna (Jensen) Monson. He was one of four brothers. After being orphaned at the age of 9, he attended elementary school through Grade 8 in rural Cooperstown, ND. Kenny joined the US Army in 1942. On August 3, 1944 he married Virginia Mae Haugen in Moorhead, MN. He was transferred with the 411th Infantry Company G to southern France where he was wounded in action on November 27, 1944 losing his right eye. After being honorably discharged from the US Army in 1946, the couple returned to Cooperstown where they farmed for 34 years retiring in 1980. Kenny was very active in church and civic affairs. He served on the Rural Telephone Board and was a 4-H leader. He faithfully served his home congregation, Sheyenne Valley Lutheran, rural Finley holding many different offices. In addition, he served on the boards of the Cooperstown school district, Finley Farmer’s Elevator and the Griggs County FHA and was a member of the Cooperstown American Legion and VFW posts. He also served as a Griggs County Commissioner for 12 years. During his lifetime, Kenny had many interests and hobbies including an extensive Indian artifact collection most of which was found on his own land in the Sheyenne River Valley. He also enjoyed collecting and polishing rocks and collecting coins. After the couple moved into Cooperstown in1984, Kenny spent many hours in his wood shop restoring old furniture and creating unique canes and candleholders from pieces of diamond willow. Together with family and friends, he constructed 150 wooden Lenten crosses for the membership of Trinity Lutheran in Cooperstown. Kenny will always be remembered for his love of family. He always had time to make memories with his children and grandchildren regardless of what he was doing. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mae, of Cooperstown; son, Roger (Kathy), Finley, ND; daughter, Leona Monson, Bakersfield, CA; two grandchildren, Ryan (Kristi) Monson, The Woodlands, TX and Stephanie (Brent) Kaiser, Grand Forks, ND and five great- grandchildren: Brady Monson, Abigail Monson, Jayden Kaiser, Nicholas Kaiser, and Max Kaiser. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Art, Lloyd and Allen. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 11:00 am in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Cooperstown, ND. Visitation will be held Monday from 5:00 till 7:00 in the Quam-Plaisted-Cushman Funeral Home, Cooperstown, ND and one hour before services in the Church. A Prayer Service will be held Monday at 7:00 in the Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Sheyenne Valley Cemetery,Tuesday at 1:30 pm.