Monica Marcella (Ulmer) Hallerud, 90, died at Aspire Senior Living Center in Oak Grove, MO on June 30, 2023–due to advancement of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma and Dementia.
She was born on July 20, 1932 on the family farm in rural Fullerton, ND, to Alfred and Martha (Munsch) Ulmer. She graduated from Fullerton HS as class Valedictorian in 1949 at age 16. She attended Presentation School of Nursing in Aberdeen SD. for 2 years until her marriage to Lutheran minister, Walter A. Hallerud in 1952. They served several midwest parishes from 1952-1972 while raising their 4 children.
Monica completed her Surgical Tech Certification and was employed by hospitals in Rockford, IL, Freeport, IL and Independence, MO. After retiring from the operating room in 1974, she worked as a medical technician and insurance specialist in various offices, including urology, podiatry, neurology and psychology.
Monica was always active in her church, enjoying choir, hymn selection committee, quilt group, ladies aide, teaching Sunday school and helping with vacation Bible School. She loved listening to beautiful music and attending local concerts with friends.
Monica learned the love of cooking and baking from her mother and shared this love with her family. She learned to sew as a youth in 4H and loved to sew clothes for her young children. In later years, she enjoyed exercise classes at the Y and ladies sorority. Having always been a “whiz” with words, she used to win spelling bees in school. This interest continued all her life, and she was able to work crosswords and play Scrabble until her late eighties.
Monica will be missed by all those who knew and loved her, especially those listed below:
She is survived by a daughter, Karen Louise (Steve Moore), Blue Springs, MO; sons Eric Walter (Diana Renek), Kansas City, MO and David Keith, Grain Valley, MO; 1 sister, Gertrude (Ulmer) Anderson, Mesa, AZ. Grandchildren: Stephen Jackson Moore; Kathryn Elizabeth Moore Narayan; Kiel Christian Hallerud and Lauren Christine Hallerud. great-grandchildren: Nora Grace and Truman James Moore; Harrison James and Isabelle Louise Narayan; Marissa Isabelle Hallerud.
She was preceded in death by her parents, 5 siblings, 1 son (Olaf Wayne), 1 grandchild (Kirsten Elizabeth).
Monica will be buried at Mapleview Cemetery, Fullerton, ND beside her parents. A memorial service will be held on August 3, 2023, at All Saints Lutheran Church, 421 SW 19th Street, Blue Springs, MO 64015, with visitation at 1:00 p.m. followed by the service at 2:00 p.m. Any memorial contributions will be directed to her church.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO 816-690-4441
Marie Benz
6 Jul 2023It was a joy to spend time with your mother. We worked well together in the kitchen for VBS,