Shirley Monson

Shirley Jean (Klai) Monson, 98, of Osnabrock, ND passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Pembilier Nursing Center in Walhalla, ND. Services will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Askew-Brooks Funeral Home in Langdon, ND. Visitation will be held one hour before the time of services.

Shirley was born on June 12, 1927, in Osnabrock, the daughter of Ruby M. (Reynolds) Klai and Jacob Carl Klai. She went to school in Osnabrock and graduated valedictorian of her class in 1944. Shirley then attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and then went to work at Hormel’s in Austin, MN. After the war she returned to Osnabrock, where she married the love of her life, C Arthur Monson at Dovre Lutheran Church on November 5, 1948. They lived on the family farm, where they raised their three children. Shirley and Art were married for over 57 years, until Art passed away on May 26, 2006.

She was active in the Dovre Lutheran Church, WELCA, American Legion Auxiliary, homemakers, and Town and Country Senior Citizens Club. Shirley enjoyed embroidery, quilting, art, working cross word puzzles, Scrabble, and reading until her eyesight failed in later years due to macular degeneration.

Shirley is survived by her children, David and Mary Monson, Osnabrock, ND, Jean Fowler and Kurt Uselding, The Villages, FL, Holly Close and Paul Gress, Wahpeton, ND, grandchildren: Cordell (Marielle) Monson, Cale (Kristeen) Monson, Jared (Tracy) Monson, Dallas Fowler and Debby Oakes, Brittney (Pat) Myhra, and Brianna Close, 12 great-grandchildren, and sister, Phyllis Berntson.

Preceding her in death were her husband, C. Arthur Monson, sister, Vivian Caksackkar, brother, Jack R. Klai and four brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law.