Monte J Vance

Monte J. Vance, age 57, was born to Larry and Bonna (Borwege) Vance at the Webster County Hospital in Red Cloud, Nebraska on February 28, 1962 and departed his life, surrounded by his loved ones, at Heritage Care Center in Red Cloud on May 1, 2019.  He was baptized and confirmed at Bladen United Methodist Church.  Monte attended Bladen Public School and graduated in 1980 with his dad presenting his high school diploma.  Later that summer, he played on the South team of the Nebraska Shrine Bowl football game. 

In 1983, Monte followed his brother Cody to Doane College where he played football and majored in sociology.  He was a member of Alpha Omega fraternity where he found life-long friends and memories.  Monte received his BA degree in 1987 and went to work for the Nebraska Department of Corrections in Lincoln and Hastings.

Wanting to get back to his ‘cowboy’ roots, Monte returned to the family ranch near Inavale to assist with the cutting horse training operation.  He had a natural ability to train colts.  Monte was also employed at Gottsch Feeding Corporation near Red Cloud where he exhibited his horsemanship abilities by riding pens and doctoring and loading cattle. 

On April 9, 2006, Monte suffered a debilitating auto accident that left him wheelchair bound.  He spent the remaining 13 years of his life at Heritage Care Center where he found a new family and many new friends.  It was common for Monte to greet visitors with a wave and a loud yell as they entered the facility.

Monte is survived by parents Larry and Bonna Vance of Inavale; brothers Cody Vance of Crete and T.J. (Tara) Vance of Inavale; children Walker (Hyeji) Vance of Jeonju, South Korea and Wesley Vance and Hannah Vance of Red Cloud and their mother, Connie Adams, of Red Cloud; aunts/uncles Lonnie (Linda) Vance of Rochester Hills, Michigan, Sharon Burgess of Red Cloud, Diane (Larry) Overy of Pauline, Colleen Kucera of Deweese, and Scott (Sonja) Borwege of Miltonvale, Kansas; nephews Trey Vance and Tanner Vance of Inavale; and numerous cousins and friends.

Preceding him in death are grandparents Raleigh and Marie Vance and Norbert and LaVona Borwege; aunt Judith Schollmeyer; uncles Derald Burgess, Larry Sanford, and Leonard Kucera; and cousin Tracy Jane Borwege.

What all of us will miss about Monte is that twinkle in his blue eyes and that ornery demeanor that drew people to him.  He was only 5-8 in stature, but he lived life 10 feet tall and bullet-proof!  God had a plan for his life, and we feel assured that he is now in God’s hands.

Services were Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., May 8, 2019 at the United Methodist Church in Bladen with Rev. Dan Albers officiating. Interment was at the Harmony Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.     

Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska  68970

Phone 402-746-2500
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com

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