Robert "Bob" L. Monke
November 30, 1932 - March 4, 2015

Robert "Bob" L. Monke

Send Flowers Send Flowers
I served in the armed forces.
Robert L. 'Bob' Monke, age 82, of Fremont,
died Wednesday March, 4, 2015 at Nye Legacy in Fremont.

Bob was born November 30, 1932 to Luther and Wilmeth (Williams) Monke in Fremont, Nebraska. He was raised on the family farm east of Fontanelle, baptized February 26, 1933 and confirmed in 1946 at Salem Lutheran Church in Fontanelle. Bob graduated from Arlington High School in 1949.

Bob joined the Navy in 1953, stationed in Hawaii. On May 12 of that year, Phyllis Rowe, the love of his life, boarded a plane in California and flew to Hawaii to marry Bob that same night. The first years of their marriage were spent in Navy housing, and Tom was born in Hawaii. They returned home to farm north of Arlington, and Bob was engaged in farming and agribusiness all his life. Daughters Cindy and Jean eventually joined the family.

Late in the 1950s, Bob and his brother Bill started selling anhydrous to neighboring farmers. This business grew to be Monke Brothers Fertilizer, incorporated in 1960. In the 1980's, Bob became a stockholder and joined the Board of Directors at Arlington State Bank (now Two Rivers Bank), eventually serving many years as Chairman of the Board. After a farm accident took his hand and realizing there would be things he could no longer do as a farmer, Bob became a realtor and sold farms for a short time.

Bob had a real zest for life. He was an avid Husker fan and season ticket holder from the time Devaney came to Nebraska until present, rarely missing a game. He and Phyllis traveled to many bowl games, including the National Championship game in Miami, 1994. He had a passion for golf and was a long time member of the Fremont Golf Club. Bob was a Shriner for many years, a member of the Arlington Masonic Lodge, also the Jesters out of Omaha, driving a mini bike in many parades. Bob was a member of the Nebraska Fertilizer and Agriculture Institute, and served on the Board of NET TV. He was Grand Marshall of the Washington County Fair Parade in 2014. Bob enjoyed many pitch games, especially the Thursday afternoon group.

Bob will be remembered for his great sense of humor and adventure, his entrepreneurial spirit and his great love of family, friends and people in general. Bob loved his work, and he and his brother Bill were almost inseparable for most of their lives. We rejoice to think that they are reunited again now spreading fertilizer over heavenly fields and enjoying a few gin games.

Survived by wife Phyllis of Fremont; son Tom (Rose) Monke of Arlington; 2 daughters, Cindy (Dean) Lindgren of Ankara, Turkey, Jean (Jon) Katt of Herman; 9 grandchildren, Mike (Tricia) Monke of Arlington and children Braden, Wes, & Grant; Brian (Kelly) Monke of Fremont; Sarah (Ben) Bradley of Kansas City, Kansas; Zach Lindgren of Omaha; Heidi Lindgren of Istanbul, Turkey & Holly Lindgren of Minneapolis, MN.; Justin (Jada) Katt of Elkhorn and their children Barrett & Beau; Jordan Katt of Lincoln; Austin (Michelle) Katt of Omaha; sister Muriel (Jim) Keeler of Fremont; brothers-in-law Ron (Connie) Rowe of Fremont, Richard Teebken of Fremont and sister-in-law Helen Monke of Arizona. He was preceded by his brother William 'Bill' Monke, sister Ruth Teebken and his parents.

The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Nye Legacy for the professional, loving care for Bob. For many years, Bob took therapy at Legacy, especially enjoying and benefiting from the pool therapy. The therapists, nurses, techs and staff were truly kind and compassionate, both to Bob and to his family. They made his life better. Also, our thanks to Drs. Sellon and Tella for their wonderful care.

The funeral service will be 10:30 AM Monday (March 9th) at the First United Methodist Church, Fremont with a luncheon to follow. The committal will be in Salem Lutheran Cemetery at Fontanelle with Military Honors by the Fremont Honor Guard (VFW Post 854 & American Legion Post 20). Visitation at the Ludvigsen Mortuary, Fremont will be Sunday 2 to 8 PM. with the family present from 6pm to 8pm. Memorials are suggested to the Fremont Area Community Foundation or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's research.

online guestbook @ www.ludvigsenmortuary.com

    Print Obituary
Visitation
Sunday, March 8, 2015
2:00pm to 8:00pm
Ludvigsen Mortuary - Fremont
1249 E. 23rd St.
Fremont, NE  68025
Map & Directions

Sunday, March 8, 2015
Family present from 6-8
Ludvigsen Mortuary - Fremont
1249 E. 23rd St.
Fremont, NE  68025
Map & Directions

Service
Funeral Service
Monday, March 9, 2015
10:30am
First United Methodist Church
815 North Broad Street
Fremont, NE  68025
Map & Directions

Interment
Salem Lutheran Cemetery
Fontanelle, NE  68044

Condolences(16)

  1. Tom Anderson
    Dear Phyllis, Tom and family: So sorry to read the news of Bob. What a terrific guy with a wonderful family! Thinking of you and all of the memories we share. Sincerely, Tom
  2. Sara Barnes
    Cindy and family,
    I am so sorry to hear of your recent loss. May you find peace in the warm memories and good times you shared as a family.
    Sara
  3. Julie Casper
    Jean - so sorry to hear about the passing of your dad. I still remember what a great guy he was when he would show up for board meetings at the bank. My prayers to your family.
  4. Ruth Ruhrer
    Phyllis, Tom, Cindy and Jeannie,

    I was so sorry to read of Bob's passing in the Fremont paper. Your entire family has always been very special to me so know that my thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

    Ruth Niederdeppe Ruhrer
  5. bob blumenthal
    my deepest regards to you phyllis. i enjoyed meeting with both you and bob over the past 7 years at jos.a bank. bob was a kind and thoughtful individual and i know he will be greatly missed. my thoughts are with you.
  6. Arnold & Marlene Otte
    Our Deepest Sympathy to the family of Bob Monke!
    It is always hard to loss someone you love but keep the good memories in your hearts.
    You are in our thoughts and prayers!
    Arnold and Marlene Otte
  7. Roxie Patrick
    My deepest sympathies to the entire Monke family. Bob was of the nicest, kindest people I have ever met. Always had a warm handshake and a hug. He treated my father like family not just an employee, and the feeling was mutual. He will be greatly missed and I would like to think that Bob, Bill and Leonard are driving around the fields of Heaven looking at the crops...
  8. Dwain Acker
    Phyllis,
    Ron Rowe, Muriel & Jim:Keeler

    Just learned of Bob's death this AM @ FSB of FHS '50.
    Regret that Virginia & I can not be with you on either Sunday or Monday.
    Thank you for his memorable Obituary - the sharing of his life well lived.

    Love Thoughts & Prayers - miles of memories of appreciation of/with you & Bob.

    Virginia & Dwain Acker
  9. Nancy Schroeder
    Dear Phyllis, Tom and family--we remember you in prayer as you mourn and celebrate the life of your husband, Dad and grandfather. He was so very kind to encourage my Dad to begin pool therapy at Nye Legacy and we won't forget his efforts and ministries in many other areas. His was a life well lived. God's blessings always, Pastor Joel and Nancy Brand Schroeder
  10. Suzanne Hula Baker
    My sincere sympathies to the family.
  11. Scott Danner
    Tom, Rose and entire Monke Family,

    My condolences for your loss. Memories live forever, remember the good times.
    Scott Danner
  12. Brad Anderson
    My sincere condolences to the Monke Family. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.

    With deepest sympathy,
    Brad Anderson.
  13. Ron Lottman
    Tom and Rose,
    So sorry to hear about Bob. What a wonderful guy. We keep losing so many good people. Bob will be missed greatly.
  14. charles and chris starostka
    sorry to hear of youre loss our thoughts and prayers are with you and youre family
  15. Deanna Kloater
    Bob will be missed. He had such a kind heart and loving smile.
  16. Jeannine Coates(Tucker)
    Tom and Rose ,so sorry to hear about Bob. My heart goes out to You and all the Family. He will be missed dearly by everyone that new him. May God comfort you at this time of sadness.

    Jeannie & Mark Coates
Send Flowers

It's never too late to send flowers.