Monte Trevor Cofell Sr., 85, passed away on March 19, 2024 at Mount View Center.

Monte had a huge zest for life and all its possibilities. He began that life on June 11, 1938, in Ellendale, North Dakota, born to Walter and Lillian Cofell. After graduating from high school, he attended North Dakota Normal and Industrial College for one year, then joined the Air Force. Eventually he was assigned to the Antigo Radar Base as a radar control operator. One night off the base he and his friends went to Bill's Beer Bar in Schofield where he met Joan Barwick, who ultimately became his wife. They lived for most of their 64-year marriage in the Wausau area, raising their four children in Rothschild.

Monte was a hard man to pin down to one career, one hobby, one adventure. He could convince just about anyone to buy anything, successfully selling vacuum cleaners, furniture, insurance, steel buildings, and pole buildings. At one point he managed the bowling alley and taught judo at the Woodson YMCA. For many years he owned his own steel erecting company. He had many passions: earning a black belt in judo, bowling a 300 game and several 700 series, managing and playing on a fast pitch softball team. He was a pretty good pool player, or so he said, much to the chagrin of his old friend Bob Pankow. He loved to hunt (deer, elk and moose), fish and camp with friends and family. He rarely missed seeing his sons play football, often driving the other parents to out-of-town games in a school bus that was a converted camper.

After retiring, Monte and Joan bought an RV and spent many winters in southern Texas and traveling the country sightseeing and visiting friends and relatives until Monte's health no longer allowed him to travel. He had the experience of a lifetime visiting Washington D. C. on an Honor Flight. Closer to home he enjoyed a weekly veteran's breakfast at Denny's, sipping whiskey old fashioneds while playing cards with friends at the Palm's Supper Club or spending time with his grandkids.

Monte is survived by his wife Joan; children Carla (Bob) Nichols, Monte Cofell Jr., Cathy (Peter) Mutschler, and Michael Cofell; grandchildren Mackenzie, Griffin, Duncan, Lily and Harrison Cofell, Jack Mutschler, step-grandchildren Robby and Grant Nichols and step-great-grandchild Ivy Nichols; his brother Loren (Eileen) Cofell, sister Winifred May, sisters-in-law Judy Wojcik and Janice Barwick.

Monte was preceded in death by his parents, brother Kendall Cofell, sister Jayne White, daughter-in-law Kathleen Cofell, in-laws Ernie and Dolly Barwick, brother-in-law Jim Wojcik and good friends Frank Kesy, Dave Sorenson and Joe Bever.

Services will be held at John J. Buettgen Funeral Home in Schofield on Thursday, April 11, with visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. followed by a short service. Online condolences may be expressed at HonorOne.com.

Monte was a fighter. His family often joked that he had nine lives as he survived more than one near-death experience and hung on far longer than any of them anticipated. Those nine lives were sometimes tumultuous, but his love for his family was of utmost importance, especially in the latter part of life.

He loved them dearly and they loved him right back. He will definitely be missed.

John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting family at this time.  Online condolences may be expressed at HonorOne.com