Monna K. Cleary, 85, of Lost Nation, IA passed away peacefully on Monday, February 26, 2024 at Genesis East Hospital, Davenport, surrounded by her family after a brief illness.

Monna Kay Croce was born on December 30, 1938 in Canton, Iowa to Leo Oscar and Gladys Maxine (Bickford) Croce.  She attended school in Maquoketa, Iowa.  She was united in marriage to John J. “Jack” Cleary on June 30, 1956 in Ft. Smith, Arkansas.  He died on January 24, 2009 after 52 years of marriage.

Monna was a homemaker in the early years of marriage while raising six children.  She worked at New View, Bellevue, IA.  She and her husband managed the Bohemian Village, Lost Nation from 1974 to 1978.  She worked at the Lost Nation school cafeteria and then became a loving daycare provider for several of her grandchildren and many neighborhood children.  She volunteered at the Lost Nation Community Scoop and was a member of the Lost Nation Library Board.

Monna was a special, quiet presence in her family’s lives and she never wanted to be a burden on anyone.  She loved spending time with her family, especially the little ones.  She loved gardening, working in the yard and keeping a clean and tidy home.  She also liked watching Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball games on TV.

Those left to honor her memory include her children, Jim (Darlene) Cleary of Delhi, Julie (Ray) Hainstock of Wyoming, Rhonda (Darvin) Hasenbank of Avondale, AZ, Kelly (Alan) Schroeder of Lost Nation and Joe (Pam) Cleary of Coralville; 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren; and 4 siblings, Donna Camp of Guntersville, AL, Maxine Flock of Maquoketa, Leo “Butch” Croce of Maquoketa and Wendy (Bill) Hainstock of Delmar; and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her son, Mark on October 1, 1983, her grandson, Daniel on July 3, 2001, her husband, her parents, her infant sister Kathy, her sister Janis Seay and her brother Billy Earl Croce.

A celebration of her life will held at 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa.  Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 P.M., Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa.  Burial will be at the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Lost Nation, Iowa.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a Monna K. Cleary memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.