Obituary of Mona Mendenhall

Mona Ethel Bryant Chapman Mendenhall passed peacefully to her reward on the first day of May, 2007. Mrs. Mendenhall was born November 24th, 1914 in Beloit Kansas, the 5th of 8 children born to James and Minnie Bryant. While quite young, she moved with her family to Colorado via horse and buggy and a covered wagon. Mona and her sister Molly recalled her mom and the girls sleeping in the covered wagon while her dad and the boys slept on the ground under the wagon and buggy. She said it was most amazing to them that their father could “just start out and go – getting to Colorado without a map and without getting lost!â€? It was a big adventure to her and her other younger siblings. The older brothers and sisters, however, realized the difficulty of such a move. Mrs. Mendenhall was preceded in death by both of her husbands, John W. Chapman and Virgil M. Mendenhall. Mona and John Chapman were married on her birthday in 1938 and were married for 15 years. Eight children were born of this union, James William, John, Janet, Ethel, Nova, Linda, Arthur and Terry. Four of these have preceded their mother Mona to their Heavenly Home: James in 2005, Janet in 2006, Ethel in 1975 and Linda in 2004. John and Mona’s surviving children are John (Candice) of San Diego, California; Nova (Dean Waite) of Hugo, Colorado; Art (Mary Ann) of Rawlings, Wyoming and Terry (Vernie) of Greeley, Colorado. Mona married Virgil Mendenhall in 1954 and they had been married for 28 years when Virgil passed away in 1982. They have one surviving son, Larry “Kipâ€? (Sherry) who lives in Jay, Oklahoma. There are 22 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren and 6 great, great grandchildren. Mona has one surviving sister, Nila Ely who lives in Kansas, one son-in-law Jack Clark of Penrose, Colorado and numerous nieces and nephews in Nebraska, Kansas, Arizona and Colorado. While married to John, Mona was quite busy having babies, sewing, raising large gardens, canning, milking cows and helping around the farm. When asked about special awards, accomplishments and life contributions, she said “I’m a mother and housewife, my medals are my kids!â€? She was a member of the San Arroyo Home Extension Club and oversaw the Sunday school services at the Adena Church where she was known for pitching in and doing what needed to be done. After John’s death in 1954 and her marriage to Virgil, the family moved from Adena to south of Wiggins, where once again she become active in her community. Mona served as church secretary of the Wiggins Community Church for a few years along with being active in TOPS, the American Legion Auxiliary as President and also secretary, and the Natl. Farmers Union where she was a junior leader. Mona had an impressive ability to quickly memorize and present poetry, monologues and other short stories in a fun and entertaining manner. Her hobbies included her grandchildren, sewing, reading, singing and crafting. Upon selling their farm in Wiggins, Mona and Virgil moved to Arkansas along with their son Kip who was a freshman in high school at the time. They owned and farmed a small farm in Gentry, Arkansas until Virgil’s death in 1982. Mona then sold that farm and moved to Maysville, Ark. to be closer to her son Kip. She remained active with her work for the American Legion as their Secretary and also tool in sewing and uniform patching for the Peterson Gas Plant employees. She belonged to and was an active member in the TOPS AR13 Club where she made many good and lasting friends. She also was a member of the Benton County Home Extension Club. Last but certainly not least, Mona was an active member of the Methodist Church and later the Glad Tidings Church in Decauter, Ark. In 1998 she moved to Jay, Oklahoma to live with Kip and Sherry where she remained independent but ‘retired’. She resided in their home with their care until moving back to Colorado in 2005 when her failing health required she be in a more monitored environment. She lived with her daughter, Nova Waite< and her husband Dean in Hugo until further declining health and extensive care requirements made it necessary for Mona to move to the Lincoln Community Nursing Home in May 2006. Nova continued personal care for her mother on a daily basis, thus giving Mona the comforts of home along with the high quality care provided at the center. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Love Funeral Home in Limon, Colorado with the actual funeral service being held at the Backstrom Pyeaate Funeral Home in Siloam Springs, Ark. on Friday, May 4th at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville, Ark. where Mona will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband Virgil, as was her last wish and request. A memorial Service honoring Mona and two of her daughter will be held in Wiggins, CO on a date to be announced. Mona will be sadly missed by her family and friends but rejoice with us in the joyful reunion that she will be having in Heaven with all of those she loved who have gone before her!! The family respectfully requests that your shared memories and your prayers be the lasting memorial from her friends to her family and loved ones. These may be sent to Nova Waite as a person of contact, at PO Box 819 Hugo, CO 80821