Patricia Mona

Patricia Anne (Lee) Mona, 78, died peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, September 6, 2010 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.

A memorial service is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, 2010 at Lands Lutheran Church in Zumbrota with Pastor David Krinke officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 PM on Thursday, Sept. 9 at the Mahn Family Funeral Home - Larson Chapel in Zumbrota, and one hour prior to the service at the church.

Pat was born on November 12, 1931 in Spring Lake, FL to Lewis Cook "L.C." Lee, Jr. and Roxie (Stansel) Lee. One of four children in a military family, she moved frequently as a child, schooling in Florida towns - Brooksville, Tampa, and Lakeland - and New Orleans, LA, before moving to Dade City, FL and graduating from Pasco High School in 1949. Always an excellent student, Pat enrolled in the medical technology and pre-med program at Florida State University in Tallahassee. A blind date changed her plans to become a doctor after meeting Roald Mona of Zumbrota, an Army man stationed in Alabama. Pat and Roald were married on September 14, 1952 at the First Presbyterian Church in Dade City, FL. After honeymooning their way up the east coast, they made their way to Minnesota and his family dairy farm, where they made their home for the next fifty-plus years. Pat soon learned that the snow she'd always adored in pretty Christmas cards was unfortunately accompanied by bone-chilling cold during Minnesota winters, a rude awakening lessened somewhat by the frequent snowmobiling excursions and card party clubs she and Roald enjoyed during the long winter nights. Pat juggled motherhood with work at various manufacturing jobs, retiring after 20 years at Pace Dairy in Rochester. Soon after retirement, she joined Sam's Club to work as a food demonstrator, where she enjoyed socializing with customer and co-workers. Known for her quick wit, quirky humor and ready smile, Pat was a beloved presence at Sam's Club where she worked full-time for over 11 years until complications from her 2009 heart surgery prevented her return.

Pat had a lifelong love of music and art, was a skilled piano player and painter and talented at many crafts including beautifully intricate crocheting. She had a passion for collecting mementos from her favorite book and movie - "Gone with the Wind" as well as other southern memorabilia, and enjoyed day trips to the casino with Roald. She was a voracious reader of mystery and fiction, and had begun writing humorous fiction she enjoyed sharing. Above all, Pat loved her family. A proud mother of five, and blissful grandparent of numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she steadfastly lived by her own advice - "Love your kids - they're what life is all about."

Pat is survived by her husband of 57 years, Roald, of Zumbrota (residing in Rochester since last winter due to Pat's medical needs); five children, James (Karen) Mona of Hutchinson, John (Heathermarie) Mona of Zumbrota, Jerold Mona of Batavia, IL, Laurie Mona of Zumbrota, and Joel Mona of Wabasha; fifteen grandchildren, Jennifer (Phillip) Evans, Tracy (Brian) Scherping, Mitchell (Sonia) Koval, Daniel Mona, Christopher Koval, Uriah Flowers, Ethan Mona, Isaac Mona, Ahnna Mona, Kyle Grimsrud, Benjamin Grimsrud, William Grimsrud, Rachel Mona, Rebecca Mona, and Ryan Mona; three great-grandchildren, Taryn Evans, Arcadia Evans and Jace Evans; her two sisters, Joy (Bob) Mogyorosy and Barbara Alford, both of Dade City, FL and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; and one brother, Michael Thomas Lee.

Memorials are preferred to Lands Lutheran Church.