A funeral for Monika

On Thursday night our sister, daughter, mother, aunt, and friend Monika Jazmein Feulner died suddenly from a blood clot in her pulmonary artery. She was 45 years old. 

Monika was a single mother to three children, her eldest son, Seth (22), moved to Washington, and her girls, Bryce (12) and Jaye (19), lived in Arvada with her. Monika was devoted to her children - they were her happiness and her strength. She encouraged their hobbies of violin and art, and she never let a day go by without letting them know how much she adored them. She was also a fierce lover of all animals. Last year she rescued a three legged dog, Mae, from a shelter. Monika believed that every life is sacred and modeled that belief by treating others with respect and compassion. She was generous, supportive, passionate, quirky, and tough - a true definition of a wonder woman!

In 2017, she was finally diagnosed with a severe form of  CMT (a progressive, inherited neuromusculoskeletal disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system). She had shown symptoms of the disease since childhood, but in the past few years her health began deteriorating quickly. She suffered from excruciating pain all over her body, breathing disorders, trembling hands and fingers, slurred speech, hearing loss, confusion, and poor balance. She never gave up trying to get help and a diagnosis. It was devastating to her family to see this vibrant woman with a zest for life transform into someone with a debilitating disease. The amount of courage, determination, and positivity that Monika possessed was remarkable. She worked part time at Home Depot because, though she tried to get on disability, she was denied. Bryce and Jaye took care of their mom on days when she couldn't take care of herself, let alone them. They watched scary movies together, cooked together, listened to music, colored together, and took nightly walks together when Monika could manage to walk. 

We are asking for help with the cost of a celebration of Monika's life. We are trying to raise $4,000 for the memorial, cremation, and any extra would go to her girls. We appreciate any amount you can give.

"If your world doesn't allow you to dream, move to one where you can."
-Billy Idol