Dennis Edgar Monkman of Salol, MN passed away at age 86 on September 25, 2023, at the LifeCare Roseau Manor where he had been a resident for the past few months. Dennis was born on January 18, 1937, to Lawrence and Lenore (McDermott) Monkman in Roseau, MN.
Dennis enlisted into the US Army in September 1954 and spent most of his military career stationed in Germany as part of the Army of Occupation after WWII where he worked as a heavy equipment operator and an electrician. He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion.
Dennis married Diane Brown on July 2, 1961, at the Salol Lutheran Church and took up residence in Salol. Dennis did some logging with his dad and worked at Marvin Windows as a glass cutter before moving to International Falls to work at Boise Cascade. In 1968 he moved to Continental Telephone where he worked for 25 years before his retirement in 1992. After Diane retired, they moved back to Salol and spent 15 years wintering in Arizona.
Dennis was an NRA member and an avid hunter and fisherman who felt most comfortable in the woods or on a lake. He loved sharing those activities with his children and grandchildren. Dennis (WD0GTM) was a dedicated Ham Radio operator for nearly 50 years, eventually working his way up to the Amateur Extra license. He was a longtime member of the ARRL and was very active in the Ham Radio clubs in International Falls and later in the Roseau/Warroad area, usually participating in their field days. Most evenings he could be found in his radio room making contacts all over the world. He also tried his best to get his children and grandchildren involved in his radio hobby. Dennis was an active gardener and had a big garden every year like his parents and siblings. He was also an active member of the Salol Lutheran Church.
Dennis is survived by his wife of 62 years Diane (Brown) Monkman, sons Blake (Jeyn) of Orlando, FL, Scott (Wendy) of Salol, Patrick (Stacey) of Salol, and a daughter, Ginger (Joe) Urban, Gold Canyon, AZ, grandchildren: Sara Hauck of Brainerd, MN, Trent (Emily) Nicholson of International Falls, Katherine (Wyatt) Monkman of Thief River Falls, Adam Monkman of Owosso, MI, Kristin Monkman of Isanti, MN, Holly (Adam) McLain of Abilene, TX, Kiana Monkman of Warroad, Troy Monkman of Denver, CO, Aaron Kajander of Elk River, MN, Tom Runnels of Pensacola, FL, Travis Urban of Wales, WI, Ayrica (Tom) Urban of Wales, WI, Derian Byfuglien; nine great-grandchildren; brother Larry (Marvel) Monkman of Salol; and sister, Gwen Lavergne of South Junction, Manitoba.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Eugene and Douglas, daughter-in-law Linda Monkman, and sisters Geraldine Santl and Lois Jirmasek.
Services will be held June 8, 2024, at the Salol Lutheran Church in Salol.
Last modified: 05/14/2024
