Michael Dennis Monahan

Michael Dennis Monahan, age 83, of Yakima, Washington passed away on Monday, May 5, 2025, after a long and brave battle against Parkinson’s disease.

Mike was born in Washington D.C. on August 1, 1941, and was one of ten children of James Burke Monahan of Chatsworth, Illinois and Mary Ann Lamb of Lafayette, Indiana. The family moved from Washington D.C. to Yakima, Washington in 1953. Mike grew up in Yakima and attended St. Paul’s grade school and then entered the Sulpician Seminary of the Northwest located in Kenmore, Washington. During his seminary years, Mike and several of his fellow seminarians were lead counselors at Camp Field, a CYO camp near Leavenworth, Washington. That led to his love of the outdoors and the Leavenworth area. He received his Master of Divinity in Pastoral Theology in 1967 and entered into his ministry with the Catholic Diocese of Yakima. He taught at Carroll High School and was pastor over the years in Cashmere, Leavenworth and Royal City. During his time as a priest, Mike was a strong supporter of Marriage Encounter, a Catholic group which strengthened communication between spouses and thus strengthened their marriage. Mike also served as a chaplain in the military as a captain in the Washington National Guard. Mike then moved into counseling work and received a Master’s degree in Child Development and Family Studies from Purdue University in 1984. He was a Certified Marriage and Family Therapist and worked both in West Lafayette, Indiana and Leavenworth, Washington. One of Mike’s true joys was acting as Father Christmas in the annual holiday festivities in Leavenworth. He also was an avid hiker and participated in many volksmarches. He loved to travel to the National Parks and was proud to say he visited over 50% of the parks from sea to shining sea.

Mike was preceded in death by three of his brothers, James Burke Jr., Timothy Edward, and William Kevin. He is survived by three of his brothers, John Matthew, Peter Joseph, and Thomas Patrick, and by three of his sisters, Patricia Ann, Mary Ellen, and Eileen Frances, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at St. Paul’s Cathedral at 10:00am on Saturday, May 31, 2025, followed by interment at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to Yakima Valley Pet Rescue may be made in Mike’s memory.