February 5, 1949 – Friday, July 31, 2009

Service Information
Our Father’s Lutheran Church in Rockford
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
11:30

Visitation Information

Monica L. Mendez, age 60, of Rockford, Minnesota died Friday, July 31, 2009, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota.

Monica was born on February 5, 1949, in Austin, Minnesota, to LaVonne and George Biedermann. On May 10, 1975, she was joined in marriage to Joe F. Mendez. Together they raised two children, Jessica and Richard.

From an early age, Monica loved playing piano and participating in school musicals. Later, she turned that love toward teaching young piano students. Monica could be seen and heard playing the organ or the piano nearly every Sunday at Our Father’s Lutheran Church in Rockford, Minnesota. She accompanied the church choir, was a member of the bell choir, and played at funerals and weddings while holding down a full-time staffing position with Loram in Loretto, Minnesota.

Monica lived for her family in every sense. She was a devoted daughter, and the glue that kept her four siblings in close contact with one another. Her children were her pride and joy, and her three grandsons a blessing in her life. She never missed an opportunity to bake a loaf of bread or rolls for an impromptu gathering at her kitchen table. And her table was always set with care and consideration for the season.

She would do whatever it took to be with her husband, her children and son-in-law and grandchildren. They were the joy of her life. One of her favorite memories was the time spent sitting on a bench on the shore of Lake Superior in Duluth with her husband, Joe, just being together. Her entire family will miss her dearly.

Survivors include her husband, Joe Mendez, her children Jessica (Dave) Dornsbach, Albertville, MN, Richard (Ricky) Mendez, Buffalo, MN; grandsons Carter, Garrett, and Owen Dornsbach; her siblings Stephen (Bonnie) Biedermann, Palm Coast, FL, Mary Kay (Skip) Stevens, Henderson , NV , Michael (Ruth) Biedermann, Austin, MN, and Greg (Becky) Biedermann, Lindstrom, MN.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and LaVonne Biedermann, Austin, MN ; and by her nephew, Gabriel Biedermann, Lindstrom, MN.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 5, 2009, at Our Father’s Lutheran Church in Rockford, Minnesota at 11:30 a.m.

A visitation will be held at the church on Wednesday morning, August 5th beginning at 10:30 A.M.