Karl Ervin Monsen 1923-2018

MONSEN, EETEN, ANDERSON

Posted By: Sharon K Hesebeck (email)
Date: 1/29/2023 at 11:45:57

Karl is the son of Lorenz and Auguste Momsen. His parents both immigrated to Iowa form Northern Germany in 1909. He was raised in Everly, Iowa and was drawn into the family rendering business when his father passed away while Karl was in high school.
He played on the high school baseball team, the Everly Cattlefeeders, who in 1939 were crowed State Champions of Iowa. Karl also played on the basketball team.
Because of the importance of the rendering business to the war effort, Karl initially remained in Everly. His profound sense of loyalty to his country was strong and on July 29-1944 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. On Easter Sunday, April 1-1945, he landing crafted deposited his Company, E-2-7 Mar Div, on the beach of Okinawa in the second wave. While fighting on Okinawa, he took a bullet through his chest, exiting his back. With no medics available, he packed the wound with mud and did what any Marine would- He Fought On! He was en-route to Japan when hostilities ended after the dropping of the atomic bomb. They were diverted to China and served there until July 1946.
To his dying day, Karl lived by the training and loyalty instilled in his as a Marine.
Upon returning from World War II, he resumed assisting his mother with the family business and eventually started his own trucking company. The business grew and at its peak had terminals in 11 states. Karl traveled extensively for business and had an enviable talent for keeping in touch with those he met, making life long friends of many. To facilitate his travels, Karl earned his pilots license and purchased an airplane.
In 1958, Karl married Grace Eeten of Spencer, Iowa, a stewardess for American Airlines. In 1974. Karl suddenly found himself a widower, with 3 young children at home. Never one to shun a challenge, he devoted his life to his children. His loyalty has been exemplary and in the credo of the Marines, he fought on.
Karl's German heritage played an important role throughout his life. He did not like being referred to as "a stubborn German", he would correct it to being a firm German. He worked to retain a tract of family property in the Northern part of Germany, believing it was his duty to keep some portion of his heritage rooted in the "mother land".
Karl's service on Okinawa is a part of recorded history at the National Museum of the Pacific War, in Fredericksburg, Texas. He attended the by invitation only opening of the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia. He participated in the Heartland Honor Flight, flying to Washington with fellow veterans. He would have joined his fellow Marines in more recent battles if his age had not been a deterrent.
Karl was a avid hunter and his devotion to nature and all that God has given was unyielding, as was his commitment to God and his church, Morning Star Lutheran Church provided a life time of support and fulfillment.

Preceded by:
Wife: Inez Grace
Parents: Lorenz & Auguste
Sister: Helen Mori Anderson
Brothers: Edward and Harold

Survived by:
Children: Scott, Bradley, Kari (Walter) Demond
Grandchildren: Gracie, Hanna, Abbey, Marin and Pradnia

Omaha World Herald
April 2018