Mona Jean Hamel, 92, Hays, died Friday, July 9, 2021, at Via Christi Village.
She was born December 7, 1928, in Zurich, Kansas, the daughter of Phil and Nelda (Thyfault) Mongeau. Mona was a graduate of Palco High School. On June 1, 1948, she was united in marriage to Jasper Joseph “Jack” Hamel at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Zurich, and they celebrated 72 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on October 7, 2020. Mona was a housewife. Her memberships included St. Ann’s Parish in Zurich, St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church in Hays, the USD 269 School Board, Rooks County Fair Board, and the Rooks County Extension Homemaker Unit. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, cooking, and crafts.
Survivors include two sons: Dan Hamel and wife Lori of Wichita and David Hamel and wife Anjanette of Hays, four daughters: Sheryl Rempe and husband Francis, Mary Rempe and husband Walter, and Carol Mendoza and husband Robert, all of Wichita, and Pam Mayers and husband Stan of Hays, a sister: Delores Meyers of Plainville, two sisters-in-law: Ida Mae Lesage of Hays and Antoinette Hamel of Hill City, 15 grandchildren: Stacey Heiman, Kevin Rempe, Craig Rempe, Kerrie Parker, Tim Rempe, Chris Rempe, Darcy Lescher, Jeff Maddox, Alex Hamel, Andrew Hamel, Jenna Meyer, Jason Mayers, Jared Mayers, Racheal Hamel, and Megan Hamel, three step grandchildren: Amy Welch, Racheal Banning, and Marcy Garcia, 17 great grandchildren, five step great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Jasper, two brothers: Levi Mongeau and Robert Mongeau, and two sisters: Alma Mongeau and Lorene Mongeau.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church, Hays, with Fr. Damian Richards officiating. Burial will follow at 12:00 pm in St. Ann’s Cemetery, Zurich. Visitation will be from 6:00 pm until 8:00 on Monday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Tuesday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A vigil service and rosary will be at 7:00 pm on Monday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church or to St. John’s Chapel at Via Christi Village. Condolences and memories of Mona may be shared with the family at www.haysmemorial.com