Allan E. Monson

Allan E. Monson, 88, of Aberdeen, passed away Tuesday, January 21, 2020, at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen.

His memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 14, 2020, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1620 Milwaukee Avenue NE, Aberdeen, with Pastor Jeff Whillock officiating.

Allan’s wishes were to be cremated with burial and military rites taking place at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery in Aberdeen.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.  Family and friends may sign Allan’s online guestbook and also view his service via the live stream service link at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, at the church, on March 14, 2020.

Allan E. Monson was born on January 3, 1932, to E. Edmond and Julia (Ausland) Monson in Aberdeen, SD.  He attended school in Aberdeen and graduated from Aberdeen Central with the Class of 1950.

Allan was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War in 1951 and was stationed in Tokyo, Japan.  After receiving his Honorable Discharge in January of 1953, he went to work in San Francisco and San Jose, CA.  This is where he met his future wife, Frances Fors. 

Allan and Fran were married March 21, 1959, in San Jose.  They moved to Paradise, CA in 1961, where they owned and operated Allan’s Sporting Goods.  In 1967, they moved the family back to Aberdeen and Allan went into business with his dad at Nelson Auto Electric.  In 1972, he became a partner at Nelson’s and remained there until his retirement in 1988.

Allan was a professional photographer and enjoyed taking wedding pictures in Aberdeen and the surrounding area on the weekends with the help of his wife, Fran.  He also loved gardening, usually growing an abundance of vegetables that were too much for Fran to can, so he often gave some to family and friends.  Allan and Fran attended many auctions and never left empty-handed.  If he couldn’t find anything he needed, Allan would always buy a box of treasures, or as Fran referred to them, an “auction box”.  Allan and Fran’s most cherished past-time however, was the time they spent with their kids and grandkids.

Allan was a lifetime member of VFW Post #17, Sidney L. Smith American Legion Post #24, and Elks Lodge #1046, all in Aberdeen.

He is survived by his children:  Julie (Brad) Scott of Pierre, SD, Joanna Monson of Sioux Falls, SD, Mark (Lillian) Monson of Sacramento, CA and Diane (Paul) Clark of Battle Ground, WA; five grandchildren:  Chance Scott, Seth (Amanda) Scott, Trace Scott, Morgan Clark and Brayden Clark; and special friends, Barney and Sharon Bryant of Warner.  Allan’s family also wishes to thank Margaret “Molly” and Ron Gunderson for being such great caregivers, cousins, and special people in Allan’s life, especially in his final years.

Allan was preceded in death by his wife, Frances Monson; infant son, Erik Jon Monson; parents, E. Edmond and Julia Monson; and infant sister, Carol Monson.

Memorials will be given to the Salvation Army of Aberdeen or the Aberdeen Area Humane Society.

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