Monica C. Bay
Long time Steuben and Cassville resident, Monica C. (Mezera) Bay, 98, died peacefullly surrounded by family, Sunday August 6, 2023, at Prairie Maison Care Facility in Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin.
Monica was born March 29,1925, at home in Bridgeport Township, Wisconsin, to Charles and Lucy (Wall) Mezera. In 1949, Monica married Lawrence Bay, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Prairie du Chien; eventually settling in Citron Valley near Steuben to run a dairy farm and raise a family.
After graduating from Seneca High School Monica worked as a nurse’s aide at Grandview Hospital in La Crosse. Prior to her marriage she worked as a telephone operator at the Prairie du Chien telephone office. Later, when her youngest were getting close to school age she worked as a teacher’s aide in the Headstart program for the Wauzeka-Steuben School District. She was also employed briefly by Land’s End of Boscobel.
While raising her family Monica worked for Field Enterprises as a sales rep. for World Book Encyclopedia. Together Monica and Lawrence also worked as Shaklee distributors. Beyond all those jobs outside the farm, her greatest life’s vocation was working side by side with her husband in all aspects of managing their family farm and raising their nine children.
Monica’s creative spirit was evident in the wreaths, children’s toys, quilts and projects she constructed throughout the years with the help of her husband. Even in later years she continued to do the things she loved, which has left us all with lasting wonderful memories. In her 90’s mother was finally blessed with great grandchildren. They became her greatest joy!!
Monica was a long time active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Seneca. During their years in the dairy industry she was an active member in the National Farmers Organization, serving as the public relations chair and editor of the NFO Newsletter. For over 50 years she was a member of the Daugherty-Larsen American Legion Post 446 Auxiliary of Steuben. She was a member of the PTA of Wauzeka-Steuben School.
She is survived by her nine children and 29 grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren; sons Ted (Kris) of Steuben, Mark of Boscobel, Jeff (Vilma) of Montgomery, AL, Brad (Donna) of Boscobel, Tom (Susan) of Sun Prairie, Kevin (Dianne) of Hartland, Lucy (Tim) Walter of Brown Deer, Patty (Steve) Bowden of Cassville, and Annette (Bob) Hoye of Fort Atkinson; and by her sister Beth Scheckel. Monica was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Bay, parents Lucy and Charles Mezera, son-in-law, Tom Okey, brothers and their wives Clem and Catherine, Dan and Phyllis, Chad and Pat, Winnie and Sharon Mezera, her sister and husband Mary and Harry Shedivy, brother-in-law, Paul Scheckel, her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Harlan and Nels Bay.
