Monte R. Albert, 64, Cawker City
CAWKER CITY – Monte Ray Albert, 64, of Cawker City, Kansas passed away suddenly on November 11, 2021. Monte was born August 24, 1957 to Billie and Florence Albert and grew up on the family farm south of Glen Elder. Monte attended Glen Elder Grade School and then Waconda East High School in Cawker City. He met the love of his life, Jolene, as a Freshman when the Cawker City and Glen Elder High Schools consolidated. After graduating in 1975, he attended Bethany College in Lindsborg, majoring in Art and playing football for one year before moving back to farm with his dad.
Monte married Jolene Muths on May 31, 1981 and they made their home north of Cawker City on Little Oak Creek. Two adored daughters, Kelsey and Kari, were born to this union. Farming was his life and he enjoyed working the land and raising cattle. He frequently took the girls along with him and many memories were made through the years. He instilled a sense of adventure and love of the outdoors in them and his six grandchildren.
Monte was charismatic and full of love for his family and many friends. He didn’ t know a stranger and would strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. He loved telling stories, especially sharing a good ghost story with his grandkids around a campfire. Monte was an avid reader and had a passion for archeology and history. He spent countless hours in the great outdoors exploring, hunting, fishing, and searching for artifacts and fossils. Even if he came home empty-handed, he would say the day was a success because it was spent in the fresh air and sunshine. Family vacations to Colorado were the highlight of every year and time spent in the mountains camping, hiking, fishing and relaxing was well-earned after harvest was finished.
Papa Mo, as he was called by his grandchildren, was continuously in awe of the family he and Jo had created. He was happiest when everyone could come home to be together and he would sit smiling at the crazy, loud chaos that ensued. He was so excited to have grandsons and loved to take them fishing, out on the boat, to the pond to catch frogs, and with him to care for his cattle. His devotion and creativity shined as he created elaborate scavenger hunts, designed a hay bale maze for the kids to run on and played chess and checkers with them. He doted on his only granddaughter and she inherited his zest for storytelling. He never missed an opportunity to tell those he loved how much they meant to him.
Monte is survived by his wife, Jolene, of the home, Cawker City, Kansas; daughter Kelsey Adams and husband Tim of Beloit, Kansas; daughter Kari Mellies and husband Brant of Ness City, Kansas; brother Rodney Albert (Ann) of Glen Elder, Kansas; sister Vicki Albert-Hayden (Larry) of Beloit, Kansas; sister Sandee Albert of Lebanon, Kansas; brother-in-law Don Muths (Shari) of Clay Center, Kansas; sister-in-law Kaylene Hill of Spring Hill, Florida; and grandchildren Kemper, Reed and Elle Adams & Colter, Conner and Creighton Mellies. He was preceded in death by his parents, Billie and Florence Albert.
Monte’ s smile and positive energy impacted so many; like the light of a shooting star filling a room, so fast, so far, and gone too soon. Each person is given the gift of time on this earth to live and love and Monte’ s legacy will continue to shine brightly in those that knew him.
Funeral services were held at 10:30 AM Monday, November 15 at the Roberts Family Funeral Home in Beloit.. Memorials may be given to the Mitchell County Historical Society or American Heart Association. Roberts Family Funeral Service in charge of arrangements.