Monika Merki

On February 2, 2022, Monika Merki passed away at San Antonio Hospital, Upland, CA. 

Mom was born Monika Huber-Tomasi, May 1, 1934, St. Sigmund, which is SW of Innsbruck. She was baptized on May 4, 1934. She moved with her mother to Linz, Austria, where she went to school. She met John Merki, and on November 28, 1952, they were married. They and one child, Matthias, while living in Linz, and in mid-1954, they immigrated to Canada, where they lived for ten years before immigrating to the United States. 

Monika had three more children in Canada, John, Elizabeth, and Allan, and was a stay-at-home mom raising her family in Regina, Saskatchewan. John and Monika had many close friends in Canada that became a part of their extended family.

After arriving in the US, they finally settled down in Ontario, California. Monika raised her four children and worked at the shoe repair shop that John opened; The Plaza Shoe Shop was located in the Ontario Plaza on Fourth Street and Mountain Avenue. Monika and John worked there for over thirty-plus years before retiring.

Monika worked the front counter along with doing light repair work and sewing. While there, many customers became close friends, and there were many loyal and regular customers. Monika's endearing graciousness and kindness made people feel welcome and that they mattered.

Monika and John enjoyed traveling, visiting with friends, and going to dances. They were regulars at many of the German Club dances at various locations in Southern California. 

Monika especially enjoyed having the family over for special occasions and hosted almost all Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas gatherings at their home on Beverly Court in Ontario. Monika would prepare all the meals, bake the most awesome Christmas cookies and create an environment full of love and happiness. Her biggest joy was being surrounded by her children, her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She will be truly missed.

Monika is survived by her four children; Matthias Merki, residing in Centennial, CO; John Merki, Rancho Cucamonga, CA; Elizabeth Norris, Upland, CA and Allan Merki, Ontario, CA. She has ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. 

Monika was an exceptional woman. She always had a smile but had a serious side to her. She made sure everything was always right and that everyone was always happy. She came to our rescue when we were young and took care of everything we needed. Even to this day, she was always there for all of us.

Those that knew her loved her. She was always kind and considerate of those she met, and she became a friend to everyone immediately. She was compassionate and made you feel like you were part of the family. 

All of us will miss her dearly, and not a day will pass where we don't think of her and how she touched our lives. Something we see, smell, taste, or touch will remind us of her. She was such an important part of our lives.

Monika, we love you and will miss you always.

Memorial Services will be February 11, 2022, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 2110 North San Antonio Ave., Upland, CA 91784

Rosary at 10:00

Mass at 10:30 - 11:30

A viewing will be February 10, at 4:00 PM -6:00 PM, at Snyder's Care Center, 9320 Santa Anita Avenue, Suite #107, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

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