Violet “Vi” Soliz-Monsen

Violet Soliz-Monsen of North Salt Lake and Farmington passed away in her NSL home on Sunday, November 3 surrounded by her loving family and beloved pets.

She was born on July 24, 1945, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Eralio “Ed” Sr and Emma “Juanita” Soliz, and was the oldest of their three children. As a youth she enjoyed hopscotch, playing with her two younger brothers, walking home from school crunching leaves, and spending time with Darlene and Sandy—who would become her lifelong friends. After graduating West High School, she completed a couple of trade school classes before starting what would be her most personally influential position as a secretary at the Utah Department of Transportation—as this would be where she met her loving life partner, John Monsen. They loved to go skiing and be adventurous, got married in 1979 and together had one daughter. Violet worked a variety of jobs after that: from babysitting to managing the deli at Kmart to chef at Benchmark Behavioral Health Services—she always loved cooking, baking (anything with lots of sugar called her name!), and homemaking. Together with John, they remodeled and added onto their home several times over the years. Violet was very crafty and enjoyed the folk art of tole painting and home decorating, and was known to have a collection of paper napkins and kitchen towels (that no one was ever allowed to use). Always the hostess, she kept her North Salt Lake home beautifully interior designed, had an ever-impressive flower garden, and was known to always send visitors off with a gift. She loved to make new friends and wasn’t afraid to strike up a conversation with a stranger, most notably to offer them a compliment. As a devoted Catholic and member in the Association of Ladies of Charity, she constantly worked to build her neighborhood into a community: communicating and giving gifts to those around her, playing bonko, and organizing various events—the highlight for most was her Christmas cookie exchange every December. She was a caretaker to her mother Juanita throughout all of her mom’s senior years. She was also a caring step-mother to John’s six children from his first marriage, and sarcastically referred to herself as their wicked witch of the north.

She loved to travel, even when she was younger—heading to the UK and Europe with her family and taking various lively trips with her close friends, Maria and Rudy Ramirez and their combined families. She found an admiration for cruising later in life, after her husband John passed away and her daughter, Bethanie and son-in-law, John “Logan”, took her on a cruise to Alaska as a celebration of her late husband’s life. Violet enjoyed that trip so much that they decided to keep cruising together—going on 13 cruises over the years (two this year alone), through the west and east Caribbean seas, the Bahamas, the Mexican Riviera, Hawaii, Canada, a trip through the Panama Canal, and a total of three Alaskan trips. As all of the cruises were through Disney, she found a special love for Mickey Ice Cream Bars and would order one every chance she got (her favorite drink, Kahlua and milk, might have given Mickey Bars a close run for its money). She continued to make new friends on her various cruises, many of whom would become beloved and close—and she delighted in receiving and sending letters and Christmas cards to them all. Violet always cared deeply for her family, neighbors, and friends—and was happiest expressing that in any way she was able.

Over the years of caretaking for Violet, Bethanie and John “Logan” started #TeamViolet—partially a network of friends and partially a cheer squad all with a goal to help Vi succeed and encourage her along her journey. The culmination of which came at the beginning of her Panama Canal cruise: where over 20 members of #TeamViolet showed up to cheer her on while she attempted to climb a flight of stairs onboard the Disney Magic. She accomplished the task, and even got some Pixie Dust from the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique to add to her celebration. With all her health and mobility issues, she always tried to push herself to do more, to heal, and to enjoy the time she had. Violet was one of the strongest people around.

Violet is survived by her loving daughter, Bethanie Monsen, son-in-law John “Logan” Ford; her treasured step-children, Cathie (Chad) Lewis, Bobbie Woodward, John “Scott” (Beckie) Monsen, Brenda Monsen, Mark (Natalie) Monsen, and Kaylene (Todd) Michels; her cherished Sister-in-law, Char Soliz and nieces Starr and Sarah; her cousin Dave Garza; her younger brother Victor Soliz and nephews/niece, Vic Jr, Kassy, and Andy—and her prior sister-in-law, Theresa. Violet cared deeply for all her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, extended family, and many friends she viewed as family. She also adored her fur-babies and grand-fur-babies: Bentley, Amigo, Figaro and Celine.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 34 years, John Monsen; parents, Ed and Juanita; loving grandmother, Andrea Garcia; older brother, Eralio “Ed” Soliz Jr; brothers and sisters-in-law, Jay and Loretta Monsen and Steve and Lois Monsen; and precious extended family: Erline and Dean Denison, Ruben Bera, and Angelo Bera. She had a strong love for all pets and is hopefully getting many fur-baby kisses and love from the pets who passed before her.

The family would like to extend gratitude to ALL the providers she engaged with at IHC and Renew Home Health & Hospice. Especially to Aaron Lewis and her physician, Casey Curry. A heartfelt, special thank you to Sherri Bosworth, Brenda Monsen, Karen “JudyJudy” Love, Fabiola Espinoza, and Flora Demeksa—who provided ongoing, on-site support to Bethanie and John with the 24/7 care Violet necessitated and deserved. Violet’s golden years were extended and made enjoyable due to the tender care provided. Additional thanks to our fabulous neighbors who we view as family. Lastly, Bethanie and John would like to thank their AMAZING co-workers and friends whose flexibility and care allowed them to do their best at juggling work life and caretaking.

A celebration of life will be held in her honor on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 from 6-8 PM at Stark Funeral Parlor, 3651 S 900 E in Millcreek, Utah. Guests are encouraged to use parking and entrance located on the north side of the building.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 13 at 11 AM at Saint Olaf Catholic Church, 276 E 1700 S in Bountiful, Utah. She will be laid to rest at the Bountiful City Cemetery at a later date.

Violet loved flowers, butterflies and dragonflies, candles, and of course anything with LOTS OF BLING! In lieu of sending flowers, please buy a tree or perennial and plant it in remembrance of her. Guests at services are encouraged to wear a little sparkle or bling in her honor, compliment a stranger’s outfit, buy someone coffee, generally just extend kindness to those around you, or once home light a candle in memory of her.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks Funeral Parlor. The family requests that you share any cherished memories and beloved photos by visiting www.Starksfuneral.com.