Charles Cowley Monk

After 98 years of life, Charles Cowley Monk passed away on Feb. 4, 2022. He was surrounded with love in his last days by his family and friends. Charles was a man filled with optimism, kindness, good humor, an insatiable appetite for learning, and devotion to family, to his wife, Nancy, and to God.

Charles was born on April 1, 1923, in a small log cabin in the farming community of Cowley, Wyoming. He was the second of 8 children born to John David and Nancy Pauline Cowley Monk.  When World War II was in full force, he joined the Navy and served in the Pacific as a radio technician. Upon returning home, he attended a dance and met a pretty redhead named Merica “Marcia” Brinkerhoff. They married on Dec. 31, 1948.

Within a year, the newlyweds had their first child and moved to Wisconsin so Charles could attend the Milwaukee School of Engineering. Little did they know that this was a permanent move and Wisconsin would become their happy home for the rest of their lives. They had 5 more children, cultivated many life-long friendships, and played a prominent role in their community. Charles served as bishop, stake president, regional representative, and temple sealer in their church, though “Sunday School teacher” was always his favorite calling. He also ran a successful custom electronics business which he and his partners bought and developed.

After the family grew and the children left home for college, for missions, and to start families of their own, Marcia was diagnosed with cancer. Charles was her tireless and loving caregiver for several years until her death in 1991.

A year later he met his sweetheart, Nancy Bousquet, at church. They were sealed in the Chicago Temple on April 1, 1994.Together they built a happy life of family, travel, church service, and temple service.

Charles is survived by his wife, Nancy; sister, Rhea Perry; children Pam (Wayne) Schaefer, Debra (Chad) Fugate, Jinelle Monk, Jodee (Randal) Thomas, Randall (Alex) Monk, and Rebecca (Wade) Denna; stepchildren Joel (Rowena) Swetish and Laurel Lynch; 24 grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and countless nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.

Funeral services were held February 12th in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. A graveside service will take place the following Saturday, February 19, 1 pm, at the Cowley, Wyoming cemetery.

If you wish to make a memorial donation in the name of Charles Monk, please give to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Humanitarian Fund.  

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