Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 30, at the First Baptist Church of Pinon for David and Samme Monson of Pinon.
The Monsons passed through Heaven’s gates together after 54 years of marriage on Tuesday, May 22, 2018.
Bro. Gary Gardner and Dan Bell will officiate the services, with interment to follow at the Pinon Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Johnny Craft, Trey Craft, Bill Lee Parker, Darin Hanson, Stanley Gene Monson, Charlie Mulcock, James Owen Coupland, Gaston Lewis, Kent Ostrem, Walt Coffman, Odie Prather and Alton Munson. Honorary pallbearers are Innis Lewis, James Ray Evrage, Bryan Prather, Richard Nunn, Gary Gage, Fred Gage, Buster Stevenson and Alvin Cook.
Visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday at Terpening & Son Mortuary.
David Wesley Monson was born Dec. 2, 1938, in Webster, S.D., to Kenneth and Emma (Svastad) Monson. He was baptized and confirmed in Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Lily, S.D.
After working for the railroad, he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in El Paso, Texas, where he met his bride-to-be, Samme Tanner.
Samme Pauline Tanner was born Dec. 8, 1936, in Carlsbad to Samuel and Mary (Pace) Tanner. After high school, she moved to El Paso and worked in a bank while attending beauty college. While living there, she met her husband-to-be, David Monson.
David and Samme met in November 1963, and after knowing one another for only three months, they were married Feb. 8, 1964, in Alamogordo. They built their life and family in Pinon.
David was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Pinon and a member of the Pinon Community Extension Club. He retired from the Otero County Road Department after 33 years and was a retired volunteer firefighter.
He loved God, his church, his family, and his ranch. David was able to see his grandchildren and great-grandchildren almost every day. He loved to play games with them and was often the instigator of their mischief. His favorite thing was to hear all of his little girls say, “Hello, Grandaddy!”
Samme joined the First Baptist Church of Pinon at a young age and was still an active member. She was also a member of the Pinon Community Extension Club.
She loved God, her church, her family, and her community. Samme loved to see her grandchildren and great-grandchildren coming and was often heard to say, “Here comes the storm!” as they were entering her door. She loved to pretend to be angry at David and the kids and their mischief. Her favorite thing was to hear her little girls say, “I love you, Mamoo!”
David and Samme loved everyone they met and were blessed to have many, many old and dear friends. They were generous with their time, money and attention. If anyone in the family or the community needed anything, they could go to David and Samme. They were excellent Christian examples of faith and love for their neighbors.
David is survived by brothers Leroy Monson and wife Peggy of Lily, S.D., Leslie Monson of Oklahoma, Roger Monson and wife Janice of Webster, S.D., and Stanley Monson and wife Nyla of Groton, S.D.; and sister Darlene Hanson and husband Jerome of Webster.
David and Samme are also survived by daughter Twyla Lewis and husband Arden of Pinon; grandchildren Jincy Gage and husband Gary of Pinon, and Heather Lewis of Sacramento, N.M.; great-grandchildren Garret Gage, Kacey Gage, Ashlie Gage, Marion Da Gage, Gari Ann Gage and Zaylee Gage; great-great-grandchild Kyleigh Gage; 13 nephews; 11 nieces; and numerous grand-nieces and nephews.
David was preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother, Darrel Monson.
Samme was preceded in death by her parents; brothers and sisters-in-law T.A. and Ruth Tanner, Manuel and Sally Tanner, and Pat Tanner; and sisters and brother-in-law Betsy and Harry Walker, and Mary Lee Tanner.
The couple was preceded in death by infant grandson Samuel Kenneth Lewis.
They will be missed by so many, but we cannot begin to imagine the joy they must have felt when the gates of Heaven opened and they walked through to see Jesus, holding hands, together!
David and Samme supported Gideons International and the New Mexico Baptist Children’s Home.
A potluck will be served immediately following the services at the Pinon Community Center.
Arrangements are under the direction of Terpening & Son Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed online at www.artesiafunerals.com.
