Mona Mary (Strahota) Illig

November 25, 1927 — January 2, 2014

Mona was born in Clyman, Wis., to Joseph and Anna Strahota on Nov. 25, 1927. Mona was the youngest of their four children and was the last surviving.  

She met her future husband, Russell Illig, shortly after high school.  

Mona moved to Madison, Wis., where she was a fashion model while working in a dress shop. Russ and Mona were married on Nov. 25, 1948 and left on a perpetual honeymoon to California that lasted for their 65 years together.

In Santa Barbara, Calif., Mona continued her modeling career and worked in a dress shop until her first two children were born. They moved to Palo Alto, Calif. in 1952, where their other three children were born.

Mona was busy raising a family of five children while Russell built his photography career. Mona volunteered and then worked at the Exploratorium Science Museum in San Francisco.  

In 1988 they moved to Tualatin, Ore. to be closer to their children. There Mona worked at a retirement home, where she was loved and well respected by her co-workers and the residents.  

In 1998 Russ and Mona moved to beautiful San Juan Island. She was an avid bridge player and loved to play at the senior center. She had a love of reading and sewing.

Mona is survived by her husband Russell, her five children, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to your favorite charity.

A celebration of Mona’s life will be held at St. Francis Catholic Church on Friday, Jan. 31 at 11 a.m. The reception will be at the Mullis Community Senior Center following the service.

— Family of Mona Illig