E. Ramona "Monie" Brownson, 93, passed away due to natural causes at the Big Sandy Medical Center on Friday, July 14, 2023. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at St. Margaret Mary's Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the Big Sandy Cemetery. Monie's family has suggested memorial donations be made in her memory to the Big Sandy Medical Center, Alzheimer's Foundation, or the Montana Chapter of the American Cancer Society. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Monie's online memorial page to send a card or leave a message of condolence for her family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.
Monie was born on May 13, 1930, in Big Sandy to Elmer and Ethel (Kuhl) Lidstone, the oldest of six children. She was raised on her parents' sheep and cattle ranch, 41 miles southeast of Big Sandy. While in school, Monie lived with her grandparents in town 9 months out of the year until her graduation in 1948. She attended Northern Montana College for a year, majoring in business administration, and married William C. Brady on October 10, 1949. Together the couple raised their three children and owned and operated Pep's bowling alley and bar for 25 years, while Monie monitored the fire/ambulance phone for the Big Sandy Emergency Services. The couple divorced in 1976, and Monie married James Brownson in 1980.
Monie returned to college and earned her Associate Degree in business administration in 1976 and then Bachelor Degree in History/Social Science in 1977 from Northern Montana College in Havre.
Monie was always a very patriotic woman who expressed her interest in politics. Her grandparents discussed world affairs and politics at the dinner table while she was growing up. She was fortunate enough to support her local delegates and work on their campaigns. Monie and Jim moved to Lincoln, NE, in 1988, and there she worked in various positions at the University of Nebraska, retiring in 1997 due to Jim's illness. He passed in 1999.
Monie enjoyed dancing, traveling, writing stories, reading, visiting relatives, Homecoming in Big Sandy, and doing things with her best friend Betty Peck. She adored her family, and hearing about her kids and grandkids was a bright spot in her day.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Brownson; children, William Kim Brady and Colleen Brady; parents, Ethel and Elmer Lidstone; brother, Elmer (Sonny) Lidstone Jr .; and former husband, William Brady.
Monie is survived by her son, Scott Patrick (Debbie) Brady of Harrisburg, PA; grandchildren, Kelly White, Kendra Correa-Brady, Kyle Correa-Brady, Cory Brady, Jennifer Brady, Jordan Meese, and Sydney Pritikin; ten great-grandchildren; four siblings, Don (Betty) Lidstone, Wanda Ulmen, Bonnie Chapman, Thelma (Kurt) Hansen; former daughters-in-law, Millie Brady and Whittney Brady; and numerous nieces and nephews.
