Michael Lamar Monson

Michael LaMar Monson, 57, passed away October 4, 2024, at the Willows Assisted Living in Blackfoot, Idaho, after a long battle of dementia.

Mike was born May 23, 1967, in Idaho Falls and was the son of Hal and Bonnie Monson. He grew up in Idaho Falls, graduating from Skyline High School in 1985. Mike was an Eagle Scout and attended Ricks College, focusing on his lifelong artistic talent. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Milwaukee Wisconsin Mission. He was a natural born comedian and knew how to light up the room.

Mike married Betsy Manwaring in 1994 and three daughters, Bailee, Macee, and Oaklee, soon blessed their lives. Although they later divorced, Betsy maintained a close relationship with the Monson family and was an ongoing support to Michael throughout his life. Throughout his life, Mike enjoyed skiing, developing his artistic side, and making new friends everywhere he went. Mike’s life was not without its challenges and heartaches, and he struggled to overcome some of those. Mike was a great support and companion to his father in his later years. The two were frequent flyers at the Arctic Circle on the West Side.

Michael is lovingly survived by his daughters, Bailee (Daniel) Sessions of Idaho Falls, ID; Macee (Kyle) Wilson of Idaho Falls, ID; Oaklee (Tyler) Webb of Salt Lake City, UT; grandchildren, Kaden, Lillie, and Hayes Sessions and Hattie Wilson; brother, Ryan (Lisa) Monson of Tieton, WA; Uncle Chris (Irene) Monson of Tucson, AZ; three nieces, a nephew, a great-nephew, and many cousins. Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Hal and Bonnie Monson; sister, Lori Monson; and many aunts, uncles, and grandparents.

The family would like to thank the staff at Willows Assisted Living for their care of “Mikey” over the last three years and Symbii Hospice for their care the last six months. Mike developed special relationships with many of his caretakers at the various facilities he lived at over the last  eight years and we thank you for your dedication to his care.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 10, 2024, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road, with interment at Ucon Cemetery. The family will visit with friends from 1-1:45 p.m. prior to services.

Services will be broadcast live on this page.