November 27, 1946 – May 13, 2025

Mary Kay Monger of Steamboat Springs, passed away May 13, 2025 at the age of 78. She was born and raised in Montrose, CO, then went to Western State in 1964 to study fashion merchandise. She moved to Denver to work in a clothing store, allowing her to fully experience Peace, Love, and Rock and Roll. Watching concerts at the Fillmore or Red Rocks, and once to Moby Arena to see the Rolling Stones. As the 70’s rolled in, she moved back to Montrose where one summer evening while working the late shift at a diner, a blond workman came in looking for food.
In 1972 she married a Steamboat rancher, Larry Monger and moved to the mountains. A town girl interested in fashion and music soon came to know cows and horses too. A childhood fan of the Lone Ranger and especially Tonto, Larry gave her an appaloosa horse for their wedding. Mary Kay named him Poco. She became a competent cowgirl and a damn good hay worker; the swather was her domain. She worked alongside Larry the majority of the marriage, a true partnership business.
An active Routt County Cattlewoman for several decades, she left a mark on the organization. In the 70’s the Routt County Cowbells was about to go under, but with the help of Jo Stanko, they rebranded to the Cattlewomen and tenaciously brought back members. Mary Kay was also instrumental in starting the RCCW Scholarship fund. In 1996 the first scholarship was given and is thriving still today. Throughout the years Mary Kay has headed multiple fundraisers including catering, sewing crafts, and quilt raffles. But her dearest endeavor was the Chili Cook-Off. For almost a decade, the cattlewomen would prepare gallons of chili at Mary Kay’s house. Laughing, socializing, cooking, and tasting, it was always a fun night. The next day chili would be passed out to hundreds of participants at the contest held in Steamboat Springs. This chili would compete with 5-star restaurants and would typically win the People’s Choice. She was always quick to razz some of the restaurant chefs when this happened. She loved the competition and the people.
Mary Kay was also a 4-H leader. For 45 years she taught kids to sew and for 15 of those years she was the organizational leader of Fairplay 4-H club (named after an Elk River School) along with Marsha Daughenbaugh. They were a dynamic duo that made 4-H so enjoyable. You were lucky to have been in Fairplay 4-H Club during those years! A fun adult who loved kids is probably how her 4-H’ers will remember her. Working with youth was really her calling, she would always find a way to make each 4-H’er shine. Mary Kay seemed to be at the end of quite a few pranks or good-natured teasing, but she loved every minute of it.
Mary Kay never quit being a music fan, rock and roll was her favorite. She would go to Denver, Red Rocks, Grand Junction, and Mishawaka to see concerts. Eagles (her favorite), Keith Urban, John Prine, Zac Brown Band, John Fogerty, Nitty Ditty Dirt Band, Doobie Brothers, Steve Miller Band, Kenny Chesney, and many others. She loved going into town to watch local concerts too. A music fan like no other.
While working side by side with Larry on the ranch, they raised two children. Mark and Krista both went off to CSU to pursue Ag degrees, and Mary Kay was especially excited that Krista’s family came home to ranch, bringing along her 2 grandchildren. She loved them dearly. Nothing could’ve pleased Mary Kay more than to live across the road from Alivia and Lloyd. Alivia was her last 4-H sewing student.
Mary Kay is survived by her husband, Larry, and her two children, Mark and Krista along with a son-in-law, Justin Warren, and two grandkids, a brother and sister in-law, Bob and Georgia Ray of Montrose.
Celebration of Life Ceremony at Monger’s High Tide Ranch Sunday, August 31, 5pm. Food, memories, and music.