Wesley Monshaugen, 81, Roslyn, died July 26, 2025, at Strand Kjorsvig Living Center, Roslyn.
Memorial services were Aug. 2 at Fron Lutheran Church near Roslyn.
Wesley “Wes” Alfred Monshaugen was born Nov. 20, 1943 at Peabody Hospital, Webster to Alfred and Thelma Monshaugen. He was baptized and confirmed at Fron Lutheran Church. He attended country school at Pleasant View #124 country school. He enjoyed music and playing the harmonica at a young age and played many instruments by ear including guitar, steel guitar, fiddle and more. In high school, he played on the football team, track team, acted in plays, sang in mixed choir and All State Choir. He graduated from Roslyn High School in May 1961. After graduation, he enlisted in the Air Force and served for eight years while stationed at Loring Air Force Base in Maine, Clark Air Base in the Philippines, a six month deployment to Vietnam, and Webb Air Force Base, Big Spring, TX. In addition to his time in the Air Force, he enlisted in the South Dakota Army National Guard and was honored on the Midwest Honor Flight in May 2025.
He married Mary Ellen Hemmah Feb. 23, 1965 in Aberdeen while stationed in Maine. After moving back to South Dakota he worked for the National Guard as a cook. He was also a mechanic and owned his own shop for a time in Roslyn. He drove a semi, hauling heavy duty equipment in the lower 48 states and Alaska. They had three sons.
He married Sharon Johnson Sept. 19, 1981 at St. John’s Lutheran Church. They lived in Mexico for 1.5 years while he was employed with Butler Machinery repairing gold mining equipment. He also did construction and hauled grain for area farmers.
He enjoyed learning new things and skills, including crocheting for friends and family and recently finished a blanket for a new grandchild. He enjoyed music, singing and playing with several bands including the Creamery Band which hosted talent from the area. He also enjoyed seeing his grandchildren involved in music. He enjoyed camping, fishing, tinkering with projects in his “play house,” cooking, gardening and canning, spending time with family and friends and traveling.
Survivors include his sons, Scott and Terri, Sioux Falls; Alan and Ellen, Walnut Grove, MN; Mark and Jenn, Spring, TX; stepson, Lonnie and Marie Johnson, Grenville; 10 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; three sisters, Ramona Wold, Fridley, MN; Carole Randall, St. Johns FL; Lois and Craig Dow, Arlington, TX; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Sharon; one nephew; brothers-in-law, Troy Randall, Loren Jondahl; sister-in-law, Jayne Hayes and daughter-inwiitthh law, Mary Lou Johnson.