Monika Tongdee

Monika Helmi Tongdee was born in Hagen Hasper, Germany on March 24, 1945. She was an only child and was raised by her grandma. She worked as a nurse at a church facility and was very involved in her church.

When she was 19 she met Mr. Pramual Tongdee. After dating for two years, they were married. She and her husband moved to Wichita, Kansas in 1967, and then later moved to California. They had four children together: Mr. Paul Thomas Tongdee (married to Dang Noi Tongdee), Mr. Chirstopher Tongdee (deceased as an infant), Mr. Julian James Tongdee (married to Talin Tongdee) and Mr. Johan Sebastian Tongdee (married to Jannice Chan).

In addition to raising her three children, Monika Tongdee worked as a nurse for a Los Angeles based hospital for crippled children. Her husband started a business that concentrated in tropical fish, she eventually resigned to help him full time. She was well-loved by the customers because of her genuine personality. She was friendly and always willing to help others always.

When her husband retired many years ago, she took over and became an integral part of the business. She treasured the fact that she was able to work with her son’s everyday. She was always there for her family, reassuring and ready with encouragement and advice.

In recent years, Monika preoccupied herself with a wealth of activities. She volunteered her time at the local hospital, had poker nights with her girlfriends every Sunday, and was deeply involved in charities sponsored by the Colton YMCA. She also indulged in trips, often going with her best friends Rosemary and Lynn. She enjoyed going on short cruises to the Mexican coast as well. She was a well traveled individual and lived life to the fullest each day. Even though she was busy with all the activities that surrounded her days, it was always apparent that Monika enjoyed the time she spent with her grandchildren and her boys the most. As a mother, she was very engaged in her sons’ lives. As a grandmother, she doted on her grandchildren and was ever-present in her four precious little angels’ (Pricilla, Sabrina, Marina and Alexis) upbringing. Monika was always about family.

Sadly, her trip to Thailand this past June would be her last. But, it was not one that fell short of adventure and excitement. She spent her blissful days in Thailand with her husband, daughter-in-law, Dangnoi, and her grandchildren Pricilla, Sabrina and Marina. She came back from Thailand on June 24 with stories galore to share. In traditional Monika fashion, she recounted her trip with gusto to those of us who were left here in the states. Fifteen days after her arrival, she started to feel ill and shortly thereafter, her health declined quickly. On July 26 at approximately 11:15 a.m., the entire family was gathered by her side, still hopeful that she would pull through. But yet again, in typical Monika fashion, she had other plans. She gathered the family one last time, and quietly slipped away into a calm slumber, leaving them all to draw on each other’s strength. Mom has always been and will continue to be the glue that holds the family together with her love, memories, and timeless life lessons that everyone has learned from.

Monika Tongdee is survived by her husband, three sons, and four granddaughters.

Arrangements under the direction of Montecito Memorial Park & Mortuary, Colton, California.