Monica Nee

Madison – Monica P. Nee, age 99, passed away on July 23, 2016, after a brief stay at UW Hospital. She was born on April 25, 1917 to Emma and Anton Semrad in Highland, Wis. She is survived by 2 daughters, Sharon (Kent) Ohlis of Waukesha and LouAnn (Larry) Zimmerman of Land O’Lakes, Wis.; grandchildren Kent Ohlis of Baltimore, Christine Ohlis of West Bend, Kathy (Christopher) Meinecke of Germantown and Hannah (Josh) Jones of Sun Prairie; step-grandsons Andy (Chris) and Adam (Stacy) Zimmerman of Luxemburg; great-grandchildren, Megan and Jacob Ohlis and Cooper and Kirby Meinecke; and sister, Mary Semrad Smith of St. Louis.

Monica is preceded in death by her husband, Capt. Thomas R. Nee of the Madison Police Dept.; sisters, Eleanor Fisher, Ann Schreiber; and brothers, Al, Everett, Glenn, and Robert Semrad.

For seven years, Monica spent her days as a happy resident at the memory Care Center at Oakwood, and prior to that in her own apartment at Oakwood Village. She was treated especially well there because, according to her, “she built and owned the place.” Her family appreciates the caring staff at Oakwood for their kindness, care and patience over the years.

Monica was proud of her hardworking roots when her family had farms and a brewery in Highland and Sauk City. She shared wonderful stories from her childhood involving folks coming from Madison out to their home for her mother’s cooking, lots of music and dancing but mostly for her father’s brew - hidden, during prohibition, “under the chicken coop!”

She met her husband, Tom, while working as a waitress in a café on State Street where he patrolled on the late night beat then walked her home. Their two single mothers conjured up a plan for the two of them which came to fruition with their 1940 wedding.

Monica was a woman before her time, always enjoying working, perhaps to support her love of shoes and hats. All of her jobs centered around people and service. She loved sports, especially Badger teams, bowling, swimming, walking and going to the movies. After retiring she enjoyed keeping up her home and the Sunset Village neighborhood near Hilldale. Neighbors set their clock by her 5 o’clock walks with whatever poodle was her companion at the time.

She was a member of Queen of Peace Church from 1958 until she could no longer drive.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 28, 2016 at Oakwood Village West, Resurrection Chapel, 6201 Mineral Point Rd, Madison, with Chaplain Martha Nack officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Monica will be laid to rest at Resurrection Cemetery, Madison.

Since Monica said there wasn’t a shade of red she didn’t love, please feel free to join her family by wearing red in her honor, whether you are able to attend the service of not!

Family also wishes to thank the wonderful Palliative Care Staff of UW Hospital, especially Dr. Shagun Saggar, as well as her special nurse, Monica Livingston.