Help Mona Templin and Family

“There are moments when I wish I could roll back the clock and take all the sadness away, but I have the feeling that if I did, the joy would be gone as well.”

-Nicholas Sparks

Our family has been devastated to learn that our mom, wife, friend, Mona Templin, has been diagnosed with advanced cancer that has spread extensively throughout her body. One day she wasn’t feeling so well, had some pain, we urged her to see the doctor and everything since then has been a heartbreaking, painful blur.

To even consider the loss of someone so dear to us is to question how we even go forward. Mona is the center of our world. She isn’t just a wife, a mother, a sister, or a friend, she is a loving caregiver who brought joy to everyone in her life. Mona is someone overflowing with generosity and love for her family, especially her husband, Mark, son Michael and daughter-in-law, Lara. Mona was overjoyed at the recent news that her first grandchild was on the way, but even that bright, wonderful news has been overshadowed by the extent of the illness attacking Mona’s body.

Mona was born in Minot, North Dakota and has lived in Gilman, Minnesota for much of her 64 years. She touched many of her coworkers lives at the St. Cloud Hospital with her loving and caring personality. Also, frequently providing delicious baked treats for them. She thoroughly enjoyed her roles as wife and mother, sharing her adoration, warmth and kindness in her smiles, jokes and again, those delicious baked treats. She is full of so much love and is always willing to step up for her family. She doesn’t do anything small or understated, she loves the big surprises, the big reveals, the extra gift, treat, and big hugs.

Mona is also a realist. She doesn’t sugarcoat, she says it like it is and she knows exactly who she is. After exploring all options, she made the difficult decision to stop the suffering and live out the remainder of her days on her own terms. After this decision, we moved her to the Quiet Oaks Hospice House. She is spending as much time as she can with her family. She is making memories and saying her goodbyes.

In our area, there are very limited choices for care. The care is expensive and the recent mound of medical bills after the whirlwind of testing, treatment, hospital stays and outpatient care and now hospice is creating more stress and concerns for a family already shaken by this devastating news.

If able, we kindly request support from our generous community to help pay the medical bills and hospice expenses. Your generosity will help ease family stress and allow us to savor the little time we have left. Thank you for your consideration.

“Alone, we can do so little, together, we can do so much.”

-Helen Keller