Monica Lee Harrell, age 69, of Winona, died Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at Gunderson Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
She was born February 4, 1955, in Shelbyville, TN, to the daughter of June and Eunice (Partee) Harrell. When she was 14 years old, she lost both her parents in a house fire. She moved in with her grandmother, who died a year later. She then went to live with her aunt and uncle Martha and Howard Gartzke in Blue Earth, MN.
She started her career in health care from a young age with a job as a nursing assistant while she was in high school. She graduated from Blue Earth High School. She continued her education at Winona State, where she earned her Master’s degree in Social Work. After college, she settled in Winona, MN. She worked as a social worker at Watkins Home, Winona Health, Lewiston Villa, St. Anne’s, and St. Croix Hospice.
She was a member of AAUW, where she served as the secretary.
Monica loved music, and singing in Sweet Adeline, Winona Community Choir, and the Wesley United Methodist Church Choir, until the very end of her life. She loved the music of John Phillips, claiming the title of Number One Fan. She also attended many concerts, including Andrea Bocelli, Yanni, Doobie Brothers, Beach Boys, Journey, Foreigner, and Jefferson Starship, to name a few.
She traveled extensively throughout Europe with her aunt Martha. She loved going to car shows in Minnesota and Wisconsin with her partner, David. She was an avid reader, and loved cats. She was an excellent cook, and took part in the gourmet cooking club. She was an outgoing woman, and enjoyed the company of others. She will be missed dearly by all of her good friends.
She is survived by her partner, David Endres, of Fountain City, WI; cousins: Carlos Gartzke, of Germany, Brad Gartzke, of Blue Eart, MN, Bill Bowen, of Hanover, PA, Walter Bowen, of La Vergne, TN, Dixee Partee and Polly Holbrook, of Portland, OR; and numerous other cousins and relatives.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her grandparents, and many aunts and uncles.
A Graveside service will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 1 PM in Bell Buckle, TN, where Monica will be buried with her parents in Hazel Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to Wesley United Methodist Church at 114 W. Broadway St., Winona, MN 55987.
