 MONETTE, KENNETH MARK Kenneth Mark Monette, 76, died Thursday morning, January 1, 2015 in the ICU of Lovelace Hospital downtown. He was born February 7, 1938 in Bennington, Oklahoma in the Oklahoma Choctaw Nation. His formative years through the 8th grade were in Muskogee, OK. where he attended Sacred Heart Catholic School. He was a paperboy, Boy Scout and an altar boy. His high school years were spent at St. Paul's High School in Marty, South Dakota on the Yankton Sioux Reservation. There he excelled in in both academics (esp. geometry and algebra) and sports. He was frequently on the Honor Roll. He graduated in 1956 and was awarded an Xavier University Scholarship. In 1955 he was named Most Valuable Player at the Yankton Quarter-Back Club Banquet. While away at school during his junior year in 1955, the family moved to Albuquerque, becoming one of the original 800 families of Princess Jeanne Park. He began his Army career August 17, 1956. He retired as Sgt. 1st Class on November 30, 1979 at Fort Bliss, Texas. His Army adventures included being a paratrooper and a Military Police Officer. He completed 2 tours in Korea and 3 in Vietnam and received numerous accolades including medals for his service. After retiring from the military he spent the rest of his life as a security guard. While stationed in Germany he met and married his wife, Irmela "Amy" Sydor. Preceding Ken in death were four children: Ralph, Sandra, Anthony, and Sharon; parents, Walter and Emma Monette; and brothers, Michael and David...The latter four are buried at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, N.M. Surviving Ken is his wife of 55 years, "Amy"; and his daughter, Audrey Bailey and husband Vernon; five sisters Donna Monette, Patricia "Patty" Riordan and husband Mike, Martha "Marty" Monette, Anne "Bebe" Monette, Carol Monette; and two brothers, John and Neil. He is also survived by four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces. The funeral was held Thursday, January 15, 2015 at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, N.M.
|
