Obituary
Robert “Monzi” J. Monsoor
Robert “Monzi” J. Monsoor, 76, of Onalaska, passed away peacefully at home with family by his side on Thursday, May 7, 2026, following a strong and courageous battle with AML.
Monzi was born at St. Ann’s in La Crosse on June 22, 1949, to Tom and Adelina “Nina” Monsoor. He was part of a prominent Onalaska family known for their long-standing business, Tom Monsoor News. A “Soda Jerk” from the young age of four, Monzi grew up learning to sweep, clean, stock shelves, and craft the perfect cherry coke or chocolate malt—memories many Onalaska friends still cherish. It was here that he developed his trademark kind ways and genuine concern for others. Monzi was never happier than when he was feeding a crowd; food and drink were truly his most sincere love languages, leaving a lasting impression on everyone he met.
Monzi retired from Burlington Northern Railroad after 38 years as an engineer. Throughout his career on the rails, he built many lifelong friendships, and as his colleagues often recalled, no one ever went hungry if Monzi was their engineer. Known for his generosity and caring nature, he always made sure those around him were taken care of.
Outside of work, his life was full of simple joys: watching sports, bow hunting in the peaceful woods, fishing with Fred, Fish Frys and catching squirrels with Lilly and Chloe.
On October 9, 2017, Monzi married his lifelong love, Terri Lovejoy, in a small ceremony with their special friends, Gary and Renee Reuter, by their side.
Nothing meant more to him than “Papa’s girls,” and his devoted companion, Nala. They were the apple of his eye and his greatest motivation over the past year. Whether it was providing a shoulder to cry on or jumping to help whenever they needed him, his devotion was unmatched. He was most content driving around or sitting at his favorite spot by the “fish” overlooking Lake Onalaska.
Monzi is survived by his wife, Terri; Melissa and Adam Aspenson; and “Papa’s girls,” Kalli, Lilly “Blueberry,” and Chloe “CJ.” He is further survived by his siblings, O’Malley Monsoor, Cathy Monsoor (Bob O’Brien), and Patty (Craig) Jermier; his many nieces and nephews; his Uncle Charlie of New Mexico; special friends, Gary and Renee Reuter; and many cherished friends and extended family members too numerous to list.
In addition to his human family, Monzi is survived by his faithful companion, Nala, and his beloved buddies, Brodi and Bailey.
Monzi’s true wealth was found in his family, and his unlimited circle of friends. He will be deeply missed by all who are lucky enough to be fed by him and loved by him.
We also offer our deepest thanks to his doctors, Olisaemeka Ogbue and Jonathan Ticku, along with the entire staff at the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, for the compassionate care, dedication, and kindness shown to Monzi throughout his journey. He spent many days and countless hours in your care, and he was adamant that each one of you be recognized and thanked for the comfort, support, and exceptional treatment you provided. Your compassion meant more to him and to our family than words can fully express.
We would especially like to thank Pastor Scott Skogen for all he has done and continues to do for us.
A gathering of family and friends with reception will be held on Friday, May 22nd, 2026 from Noon to 2:00 pm at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason St., Onalaska. Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family.
To view his service via the zoom app click the link here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85886150564?pwd=8OW0XKItBmvoDLMYdw7vEoTbG7Tn9u.1
To view his tribute video click here: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/XYBR7S2489SCX8YR?e=1
So sorry to hear about the passing of Bob. A good friend that cared for others, and loved his family! I will always have great memories of Monz!! Slainte!
Bobby had a unique ability for bringing people together. He loved to hunt and fish and he loved people too.
He had this way of making you feel you were his best friend. The reality was he was everyone’s best friend.
He gave a lot of himself to the needs of others. It just came naturally.
I don’t know if we live on in some way once this life is over. I do know that Bobby will live on in my heart and mind as long I’m alive.
Farewell good friend. You made our world a bigger and better place.
Bravo Reuter.
💙🙏🏻
Terry and family my condolences to all of you. OMally some of my best memories are with the three of us together years ago. Hope you remember..You,Bob and Rudy. sorry for your loss..
Thank you Gary and Renee for always being there for Bob. Running him back and forth for BMBs at Rochester Mayo. You were out family, and he was so very grateful to you both💙💙😘
Thank you so very much for your kind words. His friends were just like family to him.💙🙏🏻
Thank you so very much for your kind words. He was so very blessed to have such wonderful and loving friends.
Loved running into to him and catching up. His olive dip , so simple yet when I made it just didn’t taste like his. He was a kind,fun,good guy. My sympathy to this entire family I love dearly. Memories hold us together as we all mourn his loss. So glad we sat and talked for quite some time at a gathering just a month ago. Blessed. Rest in peace dear Monzi.
Thank You Zoe and Jim💙🙏🏻
Monzi was a remarkable individual!! He was always upbeat and friendly to all. He will be missed by all of us who knew him. I offer my condolences and prayers! May he rest in peace!
monzi was one of the good old boys… he always made sure you made it home safe… he always carry that good sense of humor.he will be miss by many.. My prayers and thoughts are with the family….
Thank you so very much for your kind words. His friends were just like family to him.
Thank you for your kind words, Tom💙🙏🏻
Monzi was the first person I met when we moved to Onalaska, met him at the Y playing noon Ball. We hit it right off and was a bonus when I found out he worked on the Railroad also. I was fortunate to play with all his good friends on the Recovery Room basketball team, what a Great group. Monzi introduced my sons to fishing and he’d fry fish for them, along with stopping at the store and getting a cherry coke and candy, what Great memories with Monzi, He was special. Will miss my friend Monzi….Eeeeeee.
Just heard . NO- Monz, ONE of the longest best friend
I’ve had!,
He was The Extreme Giver!
The things we did ,the book would not be big enough..
He shared all his inner TRUTHS: Religious Knowledge, Troubles,Expertise, Hunting, Fishing, Partying, Visits,Phone calls,
finally another end here..
The GUY UPSTAIRS will be taken care of him.
SEE U later Monz, tom
Thank you so very much for your kind words and insight. He thought the world of his friends.
Thank you so very much for your kind words. I know they would mean a lot to him.💙🙏🏻
Monzi was my co-worker for years, a friend, longer. He Loved life.
Sitting in his boat on the water, waiting for a tug on his fishing line, or in the quiet of the woods with his bow. At a granddaughters dance recital or their sporting activity. He had found his Happy Places and then, he had to go….
R.I.P. Monzi
Thank you so much for your kind words. You are right…he did have his favorite spots💙🙏🏻
Sail well Monz. Thanks for being such a great friend. Loved how compassionate person you were. Working with you was always a bonus.
Monzi was a co-worker, mentor and most of all a friend. Every time I saw him he had a big hug for me and always put a smile on my face. He was a wonderful human being who was taken from us too soon. My sympathies to all who loved him. RIP my friend. ❤️
Thank you so very much for your kind words. Helping and being there for his friends made his life worth living. Thank you all for being there for him🙏🏻💙
Thank you so much for your kind words. He was very grateful for all his friends💙🙏🏻
Rest in peace Monzi! Great guy and good friend!
I was honored to know the “Monz” for about 50 years.
He was quite the character! He had a great sense of humor and loved having fun. He was so much fun to be around. Bob would always have the the snacks and beers in his cooler for our fishing outings. He, Fred and l caught caught a lot of fish together over the years! More important, was the laughter and banter we would share in the boat! When he caught a nice one, he would stand up in the boat and bring out his rendition of the song “This is how you do it”
OMG! Throughout his illness, l spoke with him on the phone to see how he was doing. l could tell he was tiring and weakening, but he always would try to keep going. We never talked about the end, because neither of us saw it coming. He never once complained about it.
You, my friend, will be greatly missed by all who had the honor of knowing you! R.I.P. “Monz”.
Thank you so very much for your kind words. He knew he was blessed with such wonderful friends, that he considered family. That is why he loved life so much.💙🙏🏻
Thank you for your kind words 🙏🏻💙
What a great human being, definitely one of a kind, fly high buddy!
Thank you very much for your kind words🙏🏻💙
When I transferred into Lacrosse as a conductor in 2001 with a young family, Bob was one of the 1st people I worked with. Before we even left Lacrosse he started bringing food Lacrosse the locomotive cab to me,I said politely no thanks I brought plenty of food, which made him bring me even more. He said it was part of his Lebanese heritage, which I replied my wife is also Lebanese, which made him brighten up even more. He said, I bet your wife is beautiful, we’re beautiful people you know, which is when I discovered his quick wit and humor. Got to work with Monzy alot before I got into the engineer program,which I was also fortunate to have Monzy as one of my mentors. Bob also was eager to share his love of family, one trip he was on the phone with his father, and told him about my wife’s Lebanese family, I gave him the # office my wife’s Grandfather in North Dakota, whose family immigrated around the same Time as Bob’s family. He later told me his dad called and they talked for over an hour and they had a wonderful conversation. Bob was genuinely won of the kindest,funniest, most thoughtful man I ever got the privilege to know. Although he is in a better place,he truly will missed. God bless you Bob, rest in peace 🙏 your friend Wade
Thank you so very much for sharing your thoughtful story of how you crossed paths with Bob. He truly enjoyed talking and visiting with his friends, and was eagerly ready to hear their stories. He often would share those stories with me, and I could tell just how much he was sincerely touched. Thank you so very much for being in his life💙🙏🏻
Goodbye my friend. It’s been quite an Adventure!
Bob thank you so very much for being a huge part of Bob’s life. He loved you and considered you family. Such beautiful memories of all the June 22nd parties at your farm. Back when we all were healthy, happy, and had very little cares in the world. Those days filled with so much happiness and love will live on forever. 💙🙏🏻
Bob was a great friend and positive influence on any one that he touch! We need more Bob’s in our life!
Thank you so very much for your very kind words. Helping was blessed with such wonderful friends 💙🙏🏻
Monzi, great friend, huge heart, wonderful person.
Thanks so very much Steve. Helping certainly valued your friendship with all the fun memories at TRR🙏🏻💙
I met Bob around 1986 on the basketball court. We immediately became good friends. Bob liked the high post around the free throw line. If you were open he would find you every time for an easy basket. When my life hit a rough patch Bob helped me get through it. He was always able and willing to help me move. One time when I was at his condo having a beer his sister Patty popped in and Bob introduced us. I was so lucky that happened because Patty and I later married. I’ll never forget his great final four parties and also our bus trips to Badger and Bucks games. His great grilling skills at Tom and Nina’s house for Packer games. Great times at Recovery Room bar. I will miss you my friend, my brother in-law. RIP Monzi and I’ll see you on the other side.
Craig, Thanks so much for always being there for Bob. He really appreciated your kindness and love you continued to show him. He was very fortunate to have you as a BIL.🙏🏻💙
Sincere condolences to the entire Monsoor family! Many fond memories over the years! The Jeff & Sue Schroeder family. We will miss you Monz!
Dear Jeff and Sue, Thank you very much for your kind words and condolences. He sure enjoyed those awesome parties up on Bob O. farm with everyone who came. Thank God we can live off the beautiful memories we are left with💙🙏🏻
Lost track of Monzi after retirement. He was the best and had lots of laughs on and off the railroad. He was always concerned of others a Monsoor trait. God Bless you Monz..always a friend…Rudy
Thank you so very much for your kind and touching words. Bob truly cared so very much about all of his friends. He always put the needs of others before his own 💙🙏🏻
I was stunned to learn of “Bobbie’s” passing as I was scrolling through obituaries.
I’ve read through all the comments, thus far and they confirm my feelings about him.
From those early days at the drugstore as a little tyke, and on into adulthood there was always an ere of positivity and joy surrounding him. I always felt a smile in my heart when seeing and greeting him during spontaneous moments around the community and at special occasions. The memories of “Old Onalaska” families are cherished by me as I roll along in my 84th year. I’m confident that with God’s Grace, we will meet again.
RIP
Doug, thank you so very much for your kind and touching words. He was truly one of a kind, always enjoyed visiting with the “Old Onalaska Families” that would come in to my Father’s store. He was definitely a people person just like my Dad😘Thank you for contributing to the happiness he felt from you being in his life💙🙏🏻
a persons character can be measured by the number of friends he has. rest in piece monzi
Thank you very much for your kind words. He was very blessed by having such wonderful, caring friends in his life💙🙏🏻
You are the best friend I ever had. I became your neighbor in 1954, and we started our adventures. You taught me how to swim, fish and ride a bike. Spent our summers exploring Onalaska. You asked me to be your date for our Junior Prom. It was an adventure ordering our meal at the fancy restaurant. You grew up to become a beloved friend to all. You will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know you. God bless you and rest in peace. Love, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne, Bob thought the world of you. He would always tell me when you two visited, and loved the cookies that you made for him. A couple of weeks ago, I was with him sitting in his vehicle with the sun on our faces. We both enjoyed the peace, quiet, and unhurried time. He showed me your prom picture, and said he had sent if to you. He gazed at it for a long time, reliving the beautiful memories back when we all were so healthy, happy, and young. That touching moment brought tears to our eyes.🥲 Thank you for being such a wonderful part of his life.💙🙏🏻
So sorry to hear of Bob’s passing. I spent many an afternoon after school at the soda fountain talking with him and enjoying a lime coke.
Thank you so very much for your kind words. He was my Dad’s right hand man when he needed help in the store. He really enjoyed visiting with all his friends and appreciated them coming in for a Coke 🙏🏻💙
Stephen & June Smutny
June and I are very fortunate that we both got to know Bob.Very fortunate to have worked along side him for thirty plus years on the railroad, very nice guy. Going to be sadly missed.
Thank you so very much for your very kind words. He was blessed with such great friends on and off the Railroad. He often enjoyed sharing stories he had with his friends back in the day.💙🙏🏻
RIP Monzi, you were the best ! Great to work with you over the yrs,and better as a friend.
Thank you for your very kind and thoughtful words. He knew he was blessed with very special friends, and that contributed to living his life to the fullest. Thank you for being a big part of that.🙏🏻💙
I remember walking into St. Pat’s Church in our 8th grade year.
There was one spot left and it was next to you.
You gave me your hymn book and we sang some awful good songs together. But some of the songs got us in trouble in later years, when we sang them at the “Varsity Club”.
I got to the “The Surf Bar” late one night and when I asked the bartender where you were, he said “He’s over there arguing with the La Crosse State Football team. I then came over to get you back to Onalaska where we would be safer. There are so many stories to tell, and mostly legal.
Goodbye buddy.
Thanks for being my friend all these years.
Gilly
Dear Greg, what can I say. Like Bob always said, you your wonderful parents, Peggy, and Gordy were our second family. I remember us going back and forth to our homes…such lovely memories. Bob and I thought the world of all of you, and thank God we remained close all these years later. Thank you and your family for always being there for us. I know you all meant the world to Bob.
Hopefully, one of these days, Peggy and I can get to hear some of the “other stories.”🥹🙏🏻💙
Hanging out at the TRR over years was a great time, especially during Thursday Night karaoke. Many noon ball games at the Y in La Crosse. Monzi was awesome rebounder during the pick up basketball games. Enjoyed talking with Bob also.
He was an excellent individual and will be sorely missed.
Love ya Man!
Thank you so very much for your kind and thoughtful words. He sure enjoyed playing basketball with all his buddies, and then hanging out at TRR. Many fond memories of those days 🙏🏻💙
Love and Blessings to Monzi and the entire Monsoor family. Bob’s smile and laugh was always genuine and real! Great man…
Thank you very much for your very kind and thoughtful words. He was blessed with such wonderful friends and always felt very fortunate to have them.💙🙏🏻
My condolences to the Monsoor family. I knew Bob mostly as a young boy when I was attending St. Pat’s in O’Malley’s class. We enjoyed some family times together then. From all the comments, Bob was a very special man. I have a wonderful memory of going to lunch with my mom, Nina and Martha Peek before they died. May they all rest in peace, and peace to the Monsoor family.
Mary Kamla Stein
Dear Mary, thank you so very much for your kind and thoughtful words. Bob thought the world of your family.
I remember when my Mother, your Mother, and Mary Peek went to lunch. It sounds like you all had a wonderful time.
Thank God we still have those happy memories to live on.
Thank you and Yes, may they all RIP🙏🏻💙