Mona Ann Garrelts

Mona Ann Garrelts, 88, of Grand Island passed away on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Memorial service and a celebration of Mona’s life will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church with Reverend Bill Pavuk officiating. There is a gathering of friends and family at All Faiths Funeral Home on Monday from 5-7 p.m. Mona was born July 4, 1935, on the family farm at Hildreth, the daughter of LaVern and Charlotte (Johnson) Ortgiesen. She grew up on a farm south of Wilcox and attended school at Wilcox, graduating with the class of 1953. On May 27, 1953, Mona married Delmar LeRoy Garrelts. They had just celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary. Early in their marriage, the couple moved several times since Delmar was in the service. However, they have been longtime residents of Grand Island. Mona retired from the Midtown Holiday Inn after over 25 years of employment there. She started as hostess and then managed the entire food service operation and finally working as their bookkeeper the last 18 years. Her passions besides her family included running and volunteering. By the time she was 60 she had run 35,000 miles and was a national record holder for her age group in the Pepsi 10k circuit. When she retired, she found her new purpose by volunteering several days a week as part of the St Francis Auxiliary in the cancer unit. As a 2-time cancer survivor the cancer unit was where she thrived. She was awarded volunteer of the year for her many hours serving the patients receiving therapy. You could find Mona cheering on her grandkids in their many activities. Her love of music was lifelong from singing in the school and church choir to playing the piano. Her family loved her cinnamons rolls and she made sure she always had some in the freezer ready to give them at any time. Mona was pretty sure a good pie crust would die with her, and her daughters will affirm that is the case. Some of Mona’s fondest memories were traveling with her husband and the many golf trips they took with friends. She and Delmar were members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and past members of Riverside, Saddle Club, Liederkranz, and the Platt Deutsche. Those who cherish her memory include her husband, Delmar; daughters, Brenda Zitek, Beth Bamesberger and Lisa (Jerry) Huismann; seven grandchildren, Stacia (Jake) Thiesen, Andrea (Christopher) Lee, Will (Annalee) Bamesberger, Joseph Bamesberger (Kaylee Bluth), Tyler (Darcy) Huismann, Anthony (Samantha) Huismann and Madison (AJ) Grovas; and ten great-grandchildren. She is also survived by brother, Eugene “Butch” Ortgiesen of Kearney; sisters, JoAnn Alderman of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Gayla Hunt of Holdrege; brother-in-law, Gene Garrelts of Minden; sister-in-law, Edna Garrelts of Wichita, KS; and several nieces and nephews. Mona was preceded in death by her parents; infant daughter, Lori Lee; sons-in-law, Larry Zitek and Drew Bamesberger; brothers-in-law, Robert Alderman, Eugene Hunt and Larry Garrelts; and sister-in-law, Jeanne Ortgiesen. Memorials are suggested to the We Care Foundation which was founded by her daughter and late son-in-law, Brenda and Larry Zitek, or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be left at www.giallfaiths.com.

Mona Ann Garrelts

July 4, 1935 - May 29, 2024

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Mona Ann Garrelts

July 4, 1935 - May 29, 2024

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support