Pioneer Day 2018 | Grand Marshals: Charlie and Donna Monk

Charles Nicholls Monk was born March 9, 1935, to Leo Jones and Cassie Nicholls Monk. He is the oldest of nine children. He attended school in Cowley and graduated in 1953. When he was a junior, his basketball team won the state title.[caption id="attachment_13948" align="alignright" width="400"] Donna and Charlie Monk[/caption]After graduation, Charlie attended Northwest Community College before starting to work for the Big Horn Rural Electric Company. Charlie was an electrical lineman for 31 years before he retired in 1985. Later, he served on the REA Board of Directors for 18 years. He also worked as a realtor for a number of years.He was an active member of the Cowley Riding Club for many years. He has many hobbies. He owned and operated his own outfitting/guide business, taking people hunting in the Big Horn Mountains and in the Thoroughfare region.He served on the school board for nine years, the Sidon Irrigation Board, Tri State Energy Board and was appointed by the Governor to serve on the Wyoming Highway Commission. He also served as a bank director.Charlie served as a Big Horn County Commissioner for 16 years and was instrumental in organizing the South End Water Users, which provides municipal water to rural areas around Cowley, while on the commission.Charlie enjoyed serving and the friendships he has made. Livestock has always been a big part of the Monks’ lives. They have owned horses, cows and sheep and still run cows in Montana in the summer and winter in the Cowley area. Charlie has served in the bishopric twice, along with other church callings.Charlie has four children: Dave (Sherie) Monk, Jan (Stan) Asay, Diane (Richard) Busteed and Renae (Brad) Wolvington.Donna Mae Asay Monk was born to Clifford B. and Darlene Bell Asay on October 16, 1948, in Powell. She has four sisters.Donna worked for the Big Horn County School District No. 1 for 35 years. She loved the people she worked with and was very good at what she did.Donna has many talents. She is a very fine artist. For many years she painted and decorated the windows of the localbusinesses in Lovell. She has delighted her family with poetry from her family’s past.She is an excellent cook and often welcomes family and guests in her home. Some of her family’s favorites are her cinnamon rolls and her delicious pies. She has a passion for rock collecting and enjoys hunting for rocks with her grandchildren.Donna has a beautiful singing voice and has performed in multiple singing groups and directed choirs.Donna has served in many church callings. She and Charlie served together in the Billings Temple.Donna has five children: Geranne (Brent) Rasmussen, Tyrie (Vern) Fenton, Kovi (Kandi) Christiansen, Shaylee (Ben) Kearsley and Tobee (Jenny) Christiansen.Together, Charlie and Donna have 29 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren, so far.