Monick Reese

Monick Reese, age 56, of Grimes, Iowa, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2026, with her loving husband by her side, after facing ovarian cancer for less than three years.

Born on September 19, 1970, in Vientiane, Laos, Monick was the cherished daughter of Khanh and Thong Kham. Throughout her life, her deep faith served as a strong foundation, guiding her through every chapter with grace, strength, and purpose.

Monick's resilience and determination were defined by her actions. As a single mother, she worked tirelessly to provide for her family, going back to school and earning her degree from Drake University-an accomplishment that served as a source of pride for her and an inspiration to those around her.

Monick was truly one of a kind-funny, spunky, and full of life. With her vibrant energy and thoughtful nature, she always put others first and had a unique gift for lighting up any room she entered. She possessed a strong, determined personality and loved nothing more than being surrounded by people. Her passion for life was evident in everything she did, whether she was cooking delicious meals for those she loved, hunting for great deals (and finding lots of them!), or traveling to explore new places.

Giving back to her community was a central part of Monick's life. Over the years, she volunteered for a variety of causes and dedicated her time to teaching Sunday School and participating in church activities, sharing her faith and warmth with everyone around her.

Above all, Monick's greatest joy was her family. She cherished her children and adored her grandchildren. Her loving, constant presence was felt right from the beginning for almost all of her nieces and nephews, as she made it a point to be there for their births. Right through the very end of her life, the deep bond she shared with her loved ones gave her strength-a beautiful testament to how deeply she loved and was loved in return.

Monick is survived by her loving husband, Michael Reese; her children, Makayla Tuon (Jake Hergert), Isaac Tuon (Rose Sims), Riley Tuon, Kali (Sam) Glenn, Kaylani Reese, and "Duckie" Reese; her treasured grandchildren, Zion Hergert, Beckett Glenn, Luca Tuon, Penelope Glenn, and Ciel Tuon; her mother, Thong Kham; and her siblings, Pangkham (Leuth) Phiathep, Khamla (Amla) Loren, Sommay Soulinthavong (Kirk Dressler), Sone (Thane) Lovan, Somphit (John) Dye, and Walter (Pepci) Kham.

She was preceded in death by her father, Khanh Kham; and her sibling, Somkong Vong.

Monick's warmth, humor, and unwavering love will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.