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A gift for Oleson Park

FD woman left behind significant sum to benefit park

-Messenger file photo
The Karl L. King Municipal Band held a Father's Day concert in Oleson Park on a Sunday in 2017. It was revealed on Monday night that the city of Fort Dodge Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department was a beneficiary of Donna Monkelien’s estate. The department received $183,412.93 to make continued improvements to Oleson Park.

A woman who long appreciated the scenery at Oleson Park in southern Fort Dodge has left something behind to help ensure that others will find joy in that same park for years to come.

Donna Monkelien, of Fort Dodge, listed the city of Fort Dodge Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department as a beneficiary in her will. The department received $183,412.93 to maintain and improve the park.

Lori Branderhorst, director of the department, made the announcement at Monday night’s City Council meeting.

It marks the largest single cash gift that the parks department has ever received, according to Branderhorst.

“Our department has received multiple generous land donations,” she said. “This was the first cash donation like this that I saw.”

-Messenger file photo
Pride In Community Appearance volunteers Nancy Bundy, at left, along with Janet Singer, both of Fort Dodge, work on one of the flower beds near the Oleson Park Bandshell in 2017. It was revealed on Monday night that the city of Fort Dodge Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department was a beneficiary of Donna Monkelien’s estate. The department received $183,412.93 to make continued improvements to Oleson Park.

Monkelien passed away in December 2019. She was 89.

In her obituary, Monkelien wrote that she hoped she would be remembered as someone who had a positive attitude and loved to help people.

Branderhorst said she was notified during the summer that the department would be receiving the donation.

The department received the check in October.

Branderhorst said she met Monkelien between 30 and 35 years ago.

“I knew Donna and her husband (Richard) when I first started working for the city,” Branderhorst said. “My husband (Marlo) introduced me to them. They had lived across from Oleson Park and from what I remember she built an open shelter so she could see the Bandshell from her living room.”

Branderhorst said she didn’t communicate often with Monkelien, especially in recent years.

“I didn’t hear too much from her at all since her husband passed away,” Branderhorst said. “They had no children.”

One thing is for sure, though.

“She loved Oleson Park,” Branderhorst said. “That’s where she and her husband had their home. That was her neighborhood park. Something struck a cord with her with that park.”

As far as how the money will be spent, Branderhorst said that’s still being discussed. The park subcommittee will meet in the coming months to talk about different possibilities.

One potential vision that Branderhorst shared was adding overlooks within the park.

“I would like to do a few overlooks,” Branderhorst said. “One overlooking the landscape pond and maybe a nice overlook on the back of the shelter. Those are some nice things you could see and name physically in memory of. You could put your hand right here and say that’s where her money was spent.”

Branderhorst said the department is currently working on phase seven of its master plan renovation.

Once the new shelter house is in, Branderhorst said there might be a better idea of how to pay tribute to Monkelien.

She said the Karl King Bandshell, Splash Pad and most recent additions of the landscape pond and year-round cabin are the top features of the park.

“I want to make sure whatever we would do would complement what she liked to do,” Branderhorst said. “I think she would appreciate being able to look across the street and seeing people enjoy the park.”

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