Carole Monke

1940 - 2023

Carole Monke
July 20, 1940 - June 25, 2023
Fresno, California - On Sunday, June 25, 2023, Carole Sue Monke, loving wife, devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, went home to be with the Lord at the age of 82. Carole's thoughtfulness, selfless care for others, sense of humor, and tenacious spirit will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Carole Sue Anderson was born in Davenport, IA to Harold Carl Anderson and Virginia Ruth Anderson. Carole graduated from Rock Island High School in Rock Island, IL. While working in Moline, IL, she met Robert Monke ("Bob") at a party. Carole soon fell in love with this kind, athletic man, who became her loving and devoted husband for 58 years.
As a mother, Carole focused on her sons and supported their school and sports activities. Carole was artistic and known for her beautiful handwriting. She planned elaborate birthday parties for her boys, crafting the decorations herself. Carole spent hundreds of hours needlepointing Christmas stockings and sewing beautiful Halloween costumes for her sons and grandchildren.
Carole completed her bachelor's degree at Fresno State, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Carole and Bob (faculty) were lifelong supporters of Fresno State as volunteers, donors, and season ticket holders. Carole attended many tailgate parties dressed fashionably in Bulldog red.
After passing her CPA exams, Carole landed at St. Agnes Hospital in the accounting department, where she worked for twenty years and made many friends and memories.
Carole enjoyed camping trips with her young family in their tent trailer. Later, in retirement, Carole and Bob spent their summers on Huntington Lake at Gold Arrow Camp, a community they loved. Carole, known at camp as "Daisy," was the camp's bookkeeper, and Bob, known at camp as "Daffy," was the camp handyman. There, Carole and Bob enjoyed many evening fishing expeditions and dressed in elaborate costumes for camp dances.
Carole had an insatiable travel bug. With her travel buddy, Bob, Carole explored the world with friends and family to destinations that included Africa, China, Antarctica, the Galapagos Islands, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and Europe.
Carole was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Virginia Anderson, and brother, Bruce Anderson. She is survived by her husband, Robert Monke, and sons Steven (Audrey) Monke and Scott (Lisa) Monke, and grandchildren Gretchen (Cameron) Ruch, Meredith (Henry) Johns, Charlotte Monke, John Monke, Owen Monke, and Josh Nelson. She is also survived by one great-granddaughter, Hazel Ruch. In her final year of life, Carole made a special connection to Hazel and was most energized when the two spent time together.
Carole stubbornly fought to live life to the fullest even with her declining health due to Parkinson's Disease. Carole's family appreciates all the people who helped care for Carole in the past few years, including the staff at The Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens, Hinds Hospice, and Senior Helpers.
A celebration of life for Carole is planned for September 16, 2023, in the Fresno/Clovis area. In honor of Carole's legacy of supporting youth and education, please consider a donation to the Carole S. Monke Scholarship at Fresno State (Est. in 2016), which presents yearly awards to deserving juniors or seniors in the Kremen School of Education and Human Development. Donations can be made at https://kremen.fresnostate.edu/give/ by clicking a "Donate" button, then selecting "Other" in "View All Giving Opportunities" and indicating "Carole S. Monke Scholarship" in the space provided or by calling the Kremen School at 559-278-0244.