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Judy Colleen Monahan


Judy Colleen Monahan, 76, died Sunday, September 22, 2024, at Kavanaugh House, after a long battle with cancer.  


The family will receive friends from noon until 2:00 p.m. on Monday, September 30, 2024 at Sunset Memorial Chapel, 7601 Fleur Dr. Des Moines, with a celebration of life to follow at 2:00 p.m.   Burial will be in the Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. 


Judy was born April 18, 1948, in Des Moines, IA to Frederick and Ruth Elifritz (Allen).  

She grew up in Polk City, Mount Pleasant, Hartford, Farrar, and other farming communities in Iowa. As a young woman she lived in Fort Collins with her husband Elmer Dean while he was serving in the military, giving birth to her daughter Melissa in 1967 before returning to Des Moines later that same year.  


Judy worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa for over three decades, retiring in the early 2000s.  


She loved board game nights with family and friends, decorating for and celebrating holidays, girls’ days out with her family, July 4th baseball games in Des Moines, and flower gardening.  


Kind and generous to everyone, even the smallest of critters, Judy will be remembered for her big heart, her passion for politics and history, and her pride in her Irish heritage.  

Survivors include her husband Elmer Dean Monahan, her daughter Melissa (Anthony) Clifton, both of Des Moines, and her cousins Sherry Thomas and Laci (Brandon) Heins of Waukee.


She was preceded in death by her parents and her cousin Joe Thomas, previously of Des Moines.  


In Lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Animal Rescue League.

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