Monica Dorothy Nordman Gallagher was born June 13, 1934, in Oelwein, Iowa, to Otto and Sena Poppe Nordman. She grew up on a farm raising chickens, milking cows, and tending to three gardens. Childhood days were spent playing ball, fishing, riding horses, enjoying the porch swing, and putting picture puzzles together.

Monica graduated from Oelwein High School at age 17 in 1952 where she was homecoming queen. She then attended Upper Iowa University where she was first runner-up homecoming queen in 1954. At age 19 she started her 36 year teaching career in Stanley (2 years), West Central (2 years), Oelwein (1 year), and Nevada (31 years). She also graduated from Drake University with an additional teaching degree. After retirement she was a substitute teacher for 15 years.

She married Joseph E. Gallagher on November 23, 1956, at Sacred Heart Church in Oelwein. Shortly after marriage they moved to Fernald where they raised their family. In 2013 Monica moved to Cedar Falls to be closer to her daughter. In 2023 she moved to Platte City, MO to be closer to her son. Monica died on September 28, 2024, at Heritage Village in Platte City, MO at the age of 90.

Throughout her life Monica was involved in the Thea Rho Girls Club, ISEA and NEA, Nevada Friends of the Library Board, St. Patrick's Church, St. Patrick Bereavement Team, and was a Story County Election Official.

Monica was preceded in death by her husband, Joe in 1995; her daughter, Anne Gallagher Nass in 2023; her parents, Otto and Sena Nordman; her brothers: Warren Nordman and Richard Nordman; her in-laws: Dr. John P. and Agnes Gallagher; her sisters-in-law: Sharon Gallagher, Dorothy Nordman, and Mary Kay Hurst; and her brother-in-law: John J. Gallagher.

Monica is survived by her son: Joe and Cindy Gallagher of Platte City, MO; her son-in-law: Tom Nass of Waterloo, IA; her sister: Mary Hakanson of Cedar Rapids, IA; and a brother-in-law: Jerry Gallagher of DeBary, FL. Also surviving are her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Taylor and Trisha Gallagher of Platte City, MO, and their children: Quinn, Graham, and Crew Gallagher; Jason and Markie Gallagher Dinkel of Topeka, KS, and their children: Griffin, Millie, and Otto Dinkel; John and Brooke Dueland Sanborn of Kansas City, MO, and their children: Gavin, Lucas, and Taytum Sanborn; Josh and Teran Dueland Clutts of Kansas City, MO, and their children: Dylan, Dekker, and Ellie Clutts; and Andrew Nass, Gabbi Nass, and Kenadee Nowell of Waterloo, IA.

Monica was laid to rest next to her husband at a family service by Father Richmond Dzeko at St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in Nevada. Joe and Monica will grow old together as the best is yet to come.