Otis Monger Obituary

Former Durango resident Otis Claude Monger died Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, at his home in Eckert. He was 84.

Mr. Monger was born to Claude and Myra (Tycksen) Monger in the house on their homestead in Bayfield on July 31, 1924. He spent his childhood in Bayfield and graduated from Bayfield High School.

Immediately after graduation, Mr. Monger enlisted in the Army during World War II. After his discharge, he spent a short time in Dodge City, Kan.

On Nov. 4, 1945, he married Pauline Scalf there.

The Mongers then moved to Durango, where Mr. Monger was a truck driver for Rio Grande Motorway.

After his retirement, the Mongers moved to Eckert, where the they owned and operated Big E Market for a number of years.

Mr. Monger was a member of the Community of Christ Church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Delta. He enjoyed volunteering at the Lands End Visitor Center on Grand Mesa for a number of years. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Mr. and Mrs. Monger volunteered for many summers at Camp Quality, a camp for young cancer patients, located on Grand Mesa.

Mr. Monger is survived by his wife of 63 years, Pauline Monger, of Eckert; sons James Monger of Durango, Bruce Monger of Bayfield and Richard Monger of Kansas City, Kan.; brothers Clarence Monger of Bemidji, Minn., and Bert Monger of Drain, Ore.; sisters Helen Williams of Aztec, Jewel Workman of Kearns, Utah, Margaret Prewett of Dixon, Mo., and Marciele Baer of Middleton, Idaho; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. today, Jan. 17, 2009, at Community of Christ Church in Delta, located at 11th and Meeker streets.

Memorial donations may be made to the Cedaredge Food Pantry, c/o Surface Creek Community Services, P.O. Box 863, Cedaredge, CO 81413.

Condolences may be made online at www.mesaview.net.