✦ ✦ ✦
Tom Monke, 72, passed away surrounded by family on October 6, 2026. In recent years, he bravely endured the challenges of Lewy Body dementia, Parkinson’s disease and most recently colon cancer. True to form, he rarely if ever complained about these ailments. Anyone who knew Tom knows he was always one to see the glass half full and find the best in any person or situation.
Tom was born on February 6, 1954 to Robert and Phyllis Monke, in Hawaii, where Bob was stationed with the Navy. He was born prematurely weighing just 3 pounds, 2 ounces, but loved to joke that he spent the rest of his life eating as if he were trying to make up for that. The family eventually moved home to farm north of Arlington, Neb. Tom loved life on the farm. He began helping Bob with corn and soybean farming and working cattle at a young age. He attended Arlington Public Schools and studied for a year at the University of Nebraska before returning home to work full time on the farm.
In addition to farming, Tom helped grow the family business, Monke Brothers Fertilizer. He cared deeply for his customers and employees. He also never missed a chance to play a practical joke on friends and colleagues. Tom had a wry sense of humor!
Tom met his wife, Rose, in 1974. They went dancing for one of their first dates and Tom stole her heart with a kiss and by saying “I’ll see you in the funny papers!” Tom and Rose were married on May 22, 1976 and eventually welcomed their sons, Mike and Brian, and their daughter, Sarah. They also raised a number of black labs over the years, most recently his beloved, Lily.
During his many years as an esteemed and engaged member of the agriculture community, Tom earned a variety of awards and recognition. He was passionate about serving on the board of directors for the Nebraska Agribusiness Association from 1996-2002. He served as their Board Chairman from 2000-2001 and received their Person of Year award in 2003. In 2007, he was awarded the Mid America Crop Association Extra Step Award and in 2014 Lakeview Farm and Livestock earned the Fremont Chamber of Commerce’s Farm Family Excellence Award.
He was also an active member of Salem Lutheran Church of Fontanelle and served on the board of Two Rivers Bank (now RVR bank) for over 20 years.
Some of the things that brought Tom the greatest joy were his family, fishing (especially summer trips to Lake Winnie in Minnesota), hunting, shooting blue rocks, playing cards and golf. He loved any time spent outdoors walking one of his black labs, riding the 4-wheeler or ranger or simply enjoying the sunrise or sunset.
He is survived by his wife, Rose, his sons Mike (Tricia), Brian (Kelly) and his daughter, Sarah (Ben); his grandchildren: Braden, Wes, Grant, Eli, Sam and Willa; his sisters Jeannie Katt (Jon) and Cindy Lindgren (Dean) and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Phyllis Monke.
The funeral will take place at Salem Lutheran Church of Fontanelle on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 2:00 p.m. The family will have a private burial after the service. A visitation will be held at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel in Fremont on Monday, Oct. 12 with the family present from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Memorials may be directed to Salem Lutheran Church of Fontanelle.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Tom was born on February 6, 1954 to Robert and Phyllis Monke, in Hawaii, where Bob was stationed with the Navy. He was born prematurely weighing just 3 pounds, 2 ounces, but loved to joke that he spent the rest of his life eating as if he were trying to make up for that. The family eventually moved home to farm north of Arlington, Neb. Tom loved life on the farm. He began helping Bob with corn and soybean farming and working cattle at a young age. He attended Arlington Public Schools and studied for a year at the University of Nebraska before returning home to work full time on the farm.
In addition to farming, Tom helped grow the family business, Monke Brothers Fertilizer. He cared deeply for his customers and employees. He also never missed a chance to play a practical joke on friends and colleagues. Tom had a wry sense of humor!
Tom met his wife, Rose, in 1974. They went dancing for one of their first dates and Tom stole her heart with a kiss and by saying “I’ll see you in the funny papers!” Tom and Rose were married on May 22, 1976 and eventually welcomed their sons, Mike and Brian, and their daughter, Sarah. They also raised a number of black labs over the years, most recently his beloved, Lily.
During his many years as an esteemed and engaged member of the agriculture community, Tom earned a variety of awards and recognition. He was passionate about serving on the board of directors for the Nebraska Agribusiness Association from 1996-2002. He served as their Board Chairman from 2000-2001 and received their Person of Year award in 2003. In 2007, he was awarded the Mid America Crop Association Extra Step Award and in 2014 Lakeview Farm and Livestock earned the Fremont Chamber of Commerce’s Farm Family Excellence Award.
He was also an active member of Salem Lutheran Church of Fontanelle and served on the board of Two Rivers Bank (now RVR bank) for over 20 years.
Some of the things that brought Tom the greatest joy were his family, fishing (especially summer trips to Lake Winnie in Minnesota), hunting, shooting blue rocks, playing cards and golf. He loved any time spent outdoors walking one of his black labs, riding the 4-wheeler or ranger or simply enjoying the sunrise or sunset.
He is survived by his wife, Rose, his sons Mike (Tricia), Brian (Kelly) and his daughter, Sarah (Ben); his grandchildren: Braden, Wes, Grant, Eli, Sam and Willa; his sisters Jeannie Katt (Jon) and Cindy Lindgren (Dean) and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Phyllis Monke.
The funeral will take place at Salem Lutheran Church of Fontanelle on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 2:00 p.m. The family will have a private burial after the service. A visitation will be held at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel in Fremont on Monday, Oct. 12 with the family present from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Memorials may be directed to Salem Lutheran Church of Fontanelle.
Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com