Kay Monahan was born on May 21, 1947 to Victor and Dollie Coleman in Richland Center, Wisconsin and grew up in nearby Gays Mills in the southwest part of Wisconsin. She attended college at UW-LaCrosse graduating with a degree in English. She married the love of her life Michael in June of 1969. She moved with Mike to Minnesota where Mike was employed with the City of Minneapolis. In 1971 her son Brian was born followed in 1974 by her son Jeremy. In 1977, the family moved to their home in Plymouth where she lived for the rest of her life. Along with Mike, she raised her family there instilling values of honesty, integrity, and hard work. Her sons played a number of sports growing up where she would always be found cheering them on. She became a major fan of the Armstrong Falcons where both boys played high school basketball. She rooted for her favorite team, the Minnesota Twins and enjoyed two World Series championships and finally attending outdoor baseball games. She made countless number of friends that she cared for deeply along the way. She would give them the shirt off her back if she could, and she always appreciated their sincere generosity and love. In 1994 she was confronted with the first of a number of medical issues that would test her and Mike for the next 20 years. Shortly after receiving the first challenge with her health, she began confounding and impressing medical professionals everywhere with her indomitable spirit and resilience.
One of her talents was reflected in her beautiful gardens and flowers in her backyard. Feeding and watching birds was also among her favorite hobbies. In 1998 she began what was clearly her proudest accomplishment and happiest pastime when the first of her grandchildren was born and she officially became “Grammy.” Four times after that she was blessed with more grandchildren, each one bringing her more joy beyond explanation. Her identity became her grandchildren as it was always the focus of her conversations and her activities. She and Mike attended as many events as possible from sporting events and games, taekwondo tournaments, theater productions, dance recitals, and band and orchestra concerts. One time when asked what she and Mike have been doing since his retirement, her response was simply “We are enjoying our grandchildren.” She meant every word.
Kay Monahan passed away March 6, 2013 surrounded by her family that loves her. Kay was preceded in death by her father Victor Coleman and her brother Dennis Coleman. She is survived by her husband of 44 years Michael; her sons Brian (Dana) Monahan and Jeremy (Jill) Monahan; her five grandchildren Davis, Megan, Derek, Charlie, and Brenna; her mother Dollie Coleman; her siblings Nancy (Rick) Dull, Sue Doehlert, and Jon (Cheryl) Coleman; numerous nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18