Monica (“Monie”) was born near Timber Lake, SD on May 2, 1927 to Jay and Iva (McGuire) Coyle. She attended rural schools and St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Timber Lake and graduated from Timber Lake High School on May 4, 1945 as valedictorian of her class. She then graduated from Notre Dame Junior College, Mitchell, SD in May 1946 (now Presentation College in Aberdeen). After graduation, Monica worked as a bookkeeper in Aberdeen for three years.
On October 3, 1949 she married Al Welk at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Timber Lake. They moved around South Dakota as Al worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Co. in various positions, residing in various communities such as Gettysburg, Bonesteel and Howard. In 1958, they moved to Winner, SD where they raised their two sons, Tom, Sioux Falls, SD and Dick, Nampa, Idaho. From 1958 to 1970 Monica was active in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner and the Catholic Daughters, St. Mary’s School and helping at the rectory and St. Mary’s Hall.
In 1970, she began working for JC Penney Co. in Winner, SD as a bookkeeper. When Al was transferred to Rapid City in 1974 she also transferred to Penney’s and retired in 1989. Upon retirement, Al and Monica traveled, visited family frequently and remained very close to their siblings for visits and family events.
Al and Monica moved to Sioux Falls in the fall of 2008 and resided at Avera Prince of Peace complex. Monica and Al were persons of strong Catholic faith. While they resided at Avera Prince of Peace attendance at daily Mass in the Chapel was the foundation of their lives.
Monie was a member of Catholic Daughters St. Rita’s Court #916, Rapid City and Sacred Heart Chapel, Prince of Peace. She is also a member of National Order of Catholic Foresters, Howard, SD. Al, her husband for 62 years, died on October 14, 2011. She had many close friends and corresponded with them regularly. Monica took great care and detail, remembering special events of all she knew.
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