On September 13, our beloved “Babe” left this world, surrounded by his children and friends, to be with his high school sweetheart, Darlene. Gerald Paul “Babe” Monson was born on November 5, 1938, in Rothsay, MN. He was the sixth child of Julian Monson and Effie Halbakken. Shortly after his birth, the name Gerald Paul was dropped, and he became known as “Babe” He was baptized November 30, 1938 and was confirmed on May 24, 1953 at the First Lutheran Church in Glasgow.
Babe and his family moved to Montana during Thanksgiving of 1944. He was a hard worker and started working at the young age of eight cutting grass, snow shoveling, and as a paperboy. Throughout his years he had many jobs from a ranch hand, sheep herder, hay hauler, bellhop, construction worker, pouring the runway for the Glasgow Air Base, laying water line, building the second powerhouse at the dam, beer distributor, bank loan officer and a tank driver in the National Guard.
Paul graduated from Glasgow High School in 1956. In December of 1959 he married the love of his life, Darlene Sundby. He and Darlene were involved with the Lutheran Church early in their marriage with Darlene teaching Sunday School and Paul serving as the Treasurer. Together they raised three children, Lance, Lana, and Louis. He bought the Montana Bar in 1976 with a partner. He sold it in 1979 only to buy it back in 1982. Since then they have run it as a family business making friends with everyone who walked through the front door.
Babe made friends with everyone and frequently traveled to Minnesota for whist tournaments. He also hosted an annual whist tournament at the Montana Bar for 30 years. He would take annual trips to Vegas with his friends and family to bring a little piece of Cadillac Corner to Vegas. During the summer you could find him and his friends loaded up in the van traveling to all the eastern Montana rodeos. You could frequently find him shooting off the cannon at the high school football games and the Montana Governors Cup. They had a 100-year celebration of the bar in 1999, which wouldn’t have been complete without a horse poker run! Babe hosted the Catfish Classic for many years and was awarded the Aaron “Chappy” Chatten award in 2016. He was honored at the Northeastern Montana Rodeo in 2017 for his continued support of the rodeo association. The Cowboy Calcutta was a popular event for many years in the Montana Bar, which brought everyone together, and it was a great time for all involved. He was very proud of his Norwegian heritage and every May 17 he could be seen proudly marching the Norwegian flag up front street in celebration of Norwegian Day.
He is survived by his children Lance, Lana, and Louie; his grandchildren, Paula and her husband Landon, Ryan and Chase; his great grandchild Ryley; his sisters, Arlys and Vonnie and brother Leland; numerous nieces, nephews, and too many friends to count. He is preceded in death by parents Effie and Julian; his wife, Darlene; sisters Evelyn and Donna and brother Buster.
A celebration of his life will be held at the Valley Event Center on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 11:00 AM with burial following at Highland Cemetery. The family will be hosting a gathering at the Elks Lodge following the graveside service.
Babe said it best when he said, “I had an enjoyable life; I met a lot of interesting people and I like them all.”
Service Schedule
Visitation
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Friday September 15, 2017
Bell Mortuary
701 2nd Avenue South
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Saturday September 16, 2017
Valley Event Center
Highway 2
Glasgow, Mon 59230
Luncheon
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Saturday September 16, 2017
Glasgow Elks Lodge 1922
309 2nd Avenue South
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Social Gathering
6:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Friday September 15, 2017
Glasgow Scotties Football Field
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Service Schedule
Visitation
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Friday September 15, 2017
Bell Mortuary
701 2nd Avenue South
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Saturday September 16, 2017
Valley Event Center
Highway 2
Glasgow, Mon 59230
Luncheon
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Saturday September 16, 2017
Glasgow Elks Lodge 1922
309 2nd Avenue South
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Social Gathering
6:30 PM to 7:00 PM
Friday September 15, 2017
Glasgow Scotties Football Field
Glasgow, Montana 59230
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Leah (Runningen) & Lynn Erickson says
Sorry for your loss?
Sheila White says
Y’all are in my thoughts and prayers.Gid be with Yall. love ya
Betsy Green says
Betsy Green
Sorry for your loss. I will always remember the many good times spent at the Montana Bar. May God be with you throughout this time!
Betsy Green says
My prayers are with you!
Don & Judy Elletson says
The world lost a downright good friend & Cadillac Corner will never be the same!
Wendy HARIPER says
Lana and boys we are so sorry for your loss. Wish we could have been there today to celebrate his life. Your parents have always been very special to me. Our prayer are with you all.
Tim Connors says
One of the best! Prayers with the Monson family.
Sandy says
Cadillac Corner will not be the same but it will always be indelible in my mind. Knew ‘Babe” from age of 14. Have so many memories of my cousin “brown” and him and several others that hung around together..what a bunch!! RIP my special friend….Love and prayers Lana,Lance and Louie!!!!
Darlene komrosky says
I am so sorry Paul was an amazing friend to many people in Glasgow he was a dear friend of my dads.RIP PAUL FLY HIGH WITH THE ANGELS
CT Beede says
“Babe” Not many people could honor a nickname like that, but it suited you. A true pleasure knowing you. RIP
Becky O'Reilly says
So sorry for the loss of you Dad Lana.
Diannia Zimmerman says
Paul I just learned of your passing you are missed and loved prayers for your family hugs so sorry