Monte Howard Bion

Monte Howard Bion, age 88, of Vadnais Heights, MN, passed away August 11, 2025, after a long and courageous health battle in which he was supported greatly by his wife and family. Loving, and much beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Monte will remain in the hearts of his wife of 69 years, Juanita; children, Stephanie Ellias (Rod Lehman), Kathleen (David Loughran), and Joel (Francine); grandchildren, Michael (Kimberly); Sarah, and Patrick; and great-grandchildren Harper and Brooks. Siblings, Nancy Lindahl, Ronald, Bruce (Sharon), and Bonnie Ziebell; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by his parents Howard and Dorothy Bion, sister-in-law Mary Bion, brothers-in-law Thomas Lindahl and Ronald Ziebell, and nephew Timothy Lindahl. Monte was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on January 13, 1937, to Howard and Dorothy Bion. He attended Central High school, graduating in 1955, and attended Macalester College in St. Paul, MN. Monte's career extended from working with his father at his father's gas station in La Crosse, WI, to working at various car dealerships in management positions to owning Princeton Motors in Princeton, MN, to then working for the Luther Family Automotive Group's dealerships. He concluded his career with them by greatly enjoying being the General Manager at their Rudy Luther's Toyota location for many years until his retirement at age 74. While working there, he loved leading and developing people within the automobile business. He greatly enjoyed working with their employees, who he cared about and missed greatly after his retirement, and loved stopping by to visit. A great joy for him was working with one of his grandsons who worked with him during college. He loved working with all the employees wherever he worked and has long-lasting relationships from his work years. Monte loved his family beyond measure, and he was devoted to them. He met his wife, Nita, in kindergarten when he came to sing in her classroom. Monte and Nita worked hard to build a foundation for their family. His legacy he leaves behind includes the positive character and leadership traits he modeled. Standing out are his love and care for family, with time and conversation with them being a priority, and his kindness, genuineness, great wit and sense of humor, as well as his knowledge of so many different things. He made each grandchild and great-grandchild feel special and was a strong protector. He worked hard to provide for them and was their guiding light. He cared deeply about what was happening in both his family's and co-worker's lives. He had a beautiful voice, sang in Westminster's Presbyterian Church's choir, played the violin, and he was a talented artistic drawer and painter. He and Nita took great joy in attending his grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's school and church programs, sporting activities, music and choir recitals and listening to some of his grandchildren sing and play instruments. When he could no longer attend those in person, it brought him great happiness in watching videos and looking at any photos of them at their life activities. He also greatly enjoyed small and large home remodeling projects he did himself over the years and enjoyed matching his home slate floor to the floor in his church. He was a proud Eagle Scout and loved working with one of his grandsons on their own Eagle Scout project, modeling his woodworking knowledge and skills. He and Nita enjoyed Monte's business travel days and had a great time taking long drives together. Monte made time for his children and for their activities and interests while raising them, always making holidays extra special. He had a love for Christmas, and he carried on, and then passed on, his family's tradition of building a Christmas village under the tree with his miniature train set. Along with Nita's baking and their joint efforts in cooking beautiful holiday meals, Christmastime was magical. His legacy will continue to guide and inspire us, and he will be greatly missed. A Memorial Service for Monte will be held on Saturday, August 23rd at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1200 S. Marquette Ave., Minneapolis, MN, at 2:00 PM in the chapel, with gathering in the Great Hall one hour prior with refreshments in the Meisel Room after the service. Underground parking is available off Alice Rainville Place street and you may then look for the memorial parking sign. The service will be live streamed at https://westminstermpls.online.church/. Monte had an entombment service in the presence of his immediate family at Washburn McReavy Hillside Cemetery in Minneapolis on Friday, August 15th. Memorials Preferred to the Cystic Fibrosis Research Institute (CFRI). www.Washburn-McReavy.com Hillside Chapel 612-781-1999

Tributes

Monte Howard Bion

January 13, 1937 - August 11, 2025

Tributes

Monte Howard Bion

January 13, 1937 - August 11, 2025

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