Donald C. Monson

Born October 22, 1941

Passed away December 27, 2023

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away December 27th 2023. He was born in Eureka, CA to John and Sara Monson, he was the youngest of five children. He started his lifelong passion of dairy farming at the age of 12. He attended Ferndale High School where he was an officer in the FFA. After graduation, Don worked as a mechanic in a garage for 2 years. He was then introduced to Christine Robinson and they married 10/09/60. They had a dairy in Ferndale for several years and later moved their dairy to Loleta in 1966. They had 4 children Gary (deceased), Donna (Bernard) Flynn, Diane (Brian) Montes and John (Amy) Monson. They moved the family dairy to Orland, CA in 1974. During this time, he was also working part-time welding railroad cars for Southern Pacific Railroad. In 1990, Don remarried Mary Wellman and welcomed Wesley Wellman, Tim (Vicky) Wellman, Glenn Wellman (Sara Nichols), Carrie (Bart) Ocheltree, James (Trisha) Wellman to the family. Mary worked the family dairy alongside Don, with family help along the way.

Don loved his family. Altogether, Don and Mary had 9 children, 24 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren. His larger than life presence will be missed by his family and friends.

Viewing will be held on Thursday, 01/11/2024 from 3:30-4:30pm at Sweet-Olsen Family Mortuary located at 825 A Street, Orland, CA 95963.

Graveside service will be held Friday, 01/12/2024 at 11am at Graves Cemetery located at 5665 County Road 200, Orland, CA 95963.

Gathering to follow graveside service at Flynn's Welding & Machine Shop located at 6850 Highway 32, Orland, CA 95963.

Arrangements are held under the direction of Sweet-Olsen Family Mortuary.