Rachel Monson

Rachel Alida Arneson, daughter of Allen and Carrie (Jacobson) Arneson, was born March 23, 1924 in Harmon Township in Roberts City, South Dakota, where she grew up and was baptized on May 25, 1924 and confirmed on October 10, 1937 by Rev. James Falk. Rachel attended East Harmon #1 South School thru the 8th grade and continued her education at Rosholt High School, where she graduated from in 1941. She received her Teachers Training at Northern State College in Aberdeen, South Dakota. She then began teaching in the rural schools in Roberts City for six years. On August 27, 1947, she was united in marriage to Luverne Monson. The couple farmed south of Rosholt until October of 1951. They purchased Monson Truck Line in October and moved to Chokio. Rachel then became the ?glue? that held the truck line and family together.

Rachel was a member of Our Savior?s Lutheran Church in Chokio, where she served on the mission group, WELCA, the Chokio Lutheran Cemetery Assoc and was a Sunday school teacher. She also belonged to various organizations, such as: Til-n-tell Garden Club, Chokio American Legion Auxiliary, where she served for 34 years, Chokio Shipping Association, Naomi Circle and Baker Homemakers. Rachel enjoyed dancing, gardening, rummage sales, taking care of her ?Boys?, cooking meals, baking, ironing and making lefse. She especially enjoyed the time she spent with family and friends.

Rachel died on Monday, May 2, 2005 at the Stevens Community Medical Center in Morris, Minnesota, having lived to reach the age of 81 years.

She is survived by two sons: Dean (Jan) Monson of Chokio and Darcy (Shirley) Monson of Monticello; five grandchildren: Jeffrey (Heidi) Ruona and family, Luke Monson, Sadie Monson, Katie Monson and Dwight Monson; three sisters: Martha Sanden of Sisseton, SD, Hazel Austin of Grand Rapids and Pauline Cole of Wheaton; two sisters-in-law: Marietta Arneson of Watertown, SD and Alice Arneson of Alexandria, VA and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; two sons: Michael and Bradley Monson; her parents; one grandson: Brett Monson and three brothers: Joe, Clarence and Luther Arneson.

Pallbearers for the service are: Niles Cole, Steven Arneson, Mark Sanden, Gary Bartholomew, Allen Gilbertson and Paul Arneson. Honorary pallbearers are: Donald Neuman, MariAnn Wulff, Maxine Nelson, Marion Heuer, Sandy Finke, John Finke and Jean Hollen. Julene Amborn will serve as organist for the service with Our Savior?s Lutheran Church Choir providing special music. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.