Eugene "Gene"

D. Monson

Eugene D. "Gene" Monson, age 88, passed away peacefully at his home in Lake Mills, Wisconsin on Monday, March 9, 2026.

He was born on June 16, 1937, in Owatonna, Minnesota, to Leslie and Dorothy Monson. He graduated from Owatonna High School in 1955, where he served as Student Council President and earned awards in drama and journalism. In 1959, he graduated from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy with History minor.

Gene advanced from sales representative to field assistant with Equitable Life of New York from 1960 to 1963.  Prior to 1960, Gene did a variety of jobs in retail sales and service.  From 1963 to 1970, Gene worked for Carnation Company, advancing from Trainee to District Manager.  From 1970 to 1979, Gene was engaged in recreational land development and sales in Madison, Wisconsin and Juneau County, Wisconsin.  From 1975 to 1977 he was Sales Office Manager for Wick Homes in Mazomanie, Wisconsin.

Gene started Sproutamo Corporation in 1979 after prayer and a dream showing a design for a seed sprouter, now known as Easy-Sprout and sold to distributors, dealers, and direct consumers worldwide.  Gene ran Sproutamo from 1979 to 2022, retired, and assigned wife Pam and son Anthony to continue the business.

Gene married Elizabeth "Libby" Eaton on June 21, 1957, while both were still college students.  Gene and Libby had three sons, Bill, Chris, and Eric Monson.  Gene and Libby divorced in 1980 but remained good friends.

In 1987, Gene married Pamela "Pam" Lazaris.  Gene and Pam had a son, Anthony, and a daughter, Anna.

Gene was a life member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Dorothy Monson, his first wife, Elizabeth "Libby" Monson, brothers Jerold "Jerry" Monson and Robert "Bob" Monson.

Gene is survived by his wife, Pamela "Pam" Lazaris, sons, William (Audrey) Monson, Christopher (Cindy) Monson, Eric Monson, and Anthony Monson, daughter, Anna (Eric Sluga) Monson; brother Stanley (Sharon) Monson; sisters-in-law Mary Monson and Judy Monson; cousin, Barb Peterson; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many cousins; nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Rock Lake Baptist Church, Lake Mills on Saturday, March 28, 2026.  Visitation will be held at 10:15 AM with memorial service at 11:00 AM.  Lunch will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rock Lake Baptist Church (https://www.rocklakebaptist.org), Rainbow Hospice (https://rainbowcommunitycare.org), or Boys Town (https://www.boystown.org).

www.claussenfuneralhome.com