Monica Dee Chesshir, age 63 years, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2025, at the Veterans Administration Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Monica was born on October 30, 1961, to Dean Stoner and Barbara Fischer. The oldest of three children, she spent her early years on a farm outside of Colton, SD before moving to Sioux Falls. She attended Franklin Elementary, Whittier Junior High, and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1979. While in school, she worked in the restaurant industry, showing a strong work ethic from an early age.

In 1980, inspired by her sister who joined the Air Force, Monica enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Her training took her to Orlando, Florida and Dallas, Texas, where she embraced military life and found a strong sense of purpose and belonging. She had thoughts about making it a career.

Tragically, Monica's path was forever changed by a serious traffic accident while traveling from Sioux Falls to Dallas. She spent many months hospitalized at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, followed by nine months of intensive rehabilitation and therapy in Chicago and then Milwaukee VA hospitals. Despite the accident leaving her with limited mobility, Monica showed remarkable resilience and determination, eventually earning a bachelor's degree in Business.

During her recovery, she met her future husband, Dale, and the two were married in May 1994. Their life together was one of love, support, and shared joy.

Monica had a creative spirit and a keen sense of style—she especially enjoyed making beadwork and designing necklaces to match her outfits. She worked in customer service in the credit card industry and was a dedicated Mary Kay consultant. A lover of travel, Monica enjoyed the independence of driving her van and took delight in cruises to the Caribbean. She had a special affection for her cats and was known by friends and family as a proud "cat person."

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the many caregivers who supported Monica throughout her life. Their compassion and dedication gave her the independence she cherished and the ability to embrace life fully.

Missing Monica deeply are her husband, Dale Chesshir of Sioux Falls, SD; sister, Marsha Smith, West Branch, IA; brother, Michael Stoner, Sioux Falls, SD; nieces Rachel Smith (Ryan Kangill) and Celeste Smith; great nieces Linus Kith and Aoife Edeker; mother-in-law Norma Chesshir; brothers-in-law David, Keith Bryan and Steve; sister-in-law Joan Meyers.

Monica was preceded in death by her parents, Dean Stoner and Barbara Rehfeldt, stepfather, Robert Rehfeldt and father-in-law, George Chesshir.