MONSON, Owen H.

Owen H. (Jack) Monson, 84, formerly of Grand Island, died Sunday evening Dec. 5, 2004 in Lincoln. Memorial services will be held Tuesday, December 21 at 4:00 p.m. at St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Grand Island with Rev. Randy Fett officiating. Private burial will be prior to the service at West Lawn Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Shrine Children’s Hospital or Tabitha Health Care Hospice Unit in Lincoln. Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Jack was born August 11, 1920 in Mayville, N.D. to Melvin and Lottie (Andrews) Monson. He grew up in Mayville and attended the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks. He entered the U.S. Army Air Corps in September of 1942 and served until July of 1945. While in the service he was responsible for organizing military bands for the troops overseas. He married Glenna Jean O’Neal on November 25, 1941 in Grand Island. Following his discharge, Jack played music professionally and toured with the Elmer Hall Band, the Joe Lukesh Band, and had his own band, the Jack Monson Combo. He worked for Molzer Music Company for 26 years, and called on many of the schools in Nebraska, selling band instruments. He also designed and sold band uniforms for Fruehauf Band Uniform Company. Jack was active in organizing and recruiting bands and judges for the annual Harvest of Harmony Parade in Grand Island. He was honored by being named Grand Marshal of the Harvest of Harmony Parade in 1995. He was a member of Ashlar Masonic Lodge No. 33 in Grand Island, Tehama Shrine Temple in Hastings and was a Shrine Jester. He played and directed the Tehama Shrine Band for many years as they earned national champion honors. He was a member of the Nebraska Bandmasters, NMEA and Music Dealers Association. Jack also served on the Grand Island Zoo Board.