Emil M. Monat, 97 of Sterling, CO died Sunday, January 31, 2016 in Sterling. Rosary will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, February 5, 2016 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Akron, Colorado. A funeral mass will follow at 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment with military services will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
Emil was born September 11, 1918 in St. Thomas, Missouri to Albert and Martha Monat. He attended St. Thomas Catholic School through the 8th grade. His father was a carpenter and taught Emil the trade. Emil worked many years for Sterling Lumber Company helping to build or remodel many homes and buildings in the Sterling and Logan county areas.
Over the years, Emil drove back and forth from Akron every day. Rarely being late, or missing a day of work.
In his early twenties, Emil moved to Colorado to work in the Holyoke area. During this time, he met Marianna Beck from Venango, Nebraska. They were married on January 21, 1942 at St. Patricks Catholic Church in Holyoke. Marianna died on Emil's birthday on September 11, 2011. They were married for 69 years.
During World War II, Emil served two years with the 330th Engineer Regiment. He was honorably discharged in June 1946 with the rank of Sergeant. The family moved to Akron, Colorado in 1953 where Emil and Marianna worked and raised their three children. Emil was a long time member of the Knights of Columbus Council #3543 in Akron.
In 2005, the couple moved to Sterling to be close to family.
Emil is survived by his daughter, Linda Gebauer and her husband Richard of Sterling; sons, Larry of Sterling, and Mike and wife Donna of Loveland; grandchildren Angela Archer and husband Jimmie of Loveland, Tiffany Coldwell and husband Adam of Boston, MA, Michael Monat of Spring Hill, TN, Trevor Monat and wife Kari of Akron, and Tina Pehrson and husband Tom of Drake; seven great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; and a sister Delphane Wieberg of Jefferson City, MO.
He was preceded in death by one sister, four brothers, and his parents.
Memorial donations may be made to the Akron Senior and Community Center or for Memorial Masses in his name.