Lucille Jane Monares

Lucille “Luci” Jane Monares, 70, of Newton, passed away Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at Harry Hynes Hospice in Wichita surrounded by her closest family.

Luci was born on April 2, 1956, in Liberal, Kansas, the daughter of William and Lela Friesen. As a child Luci grew up in Adams, Oklahoma where she attended local school.

Luci earned her Bachelor’s in Social Work from Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas in 1978. She then moved to Newton, Kansas where she met Dany Monares whom she married on March 8, 1980.

Later in life, Luci earned her master’s degree from WSU, then retired in October 2022 after nearly 45 years devoted to serving children and families.

Luci loved music and dancing, traveling, cooking, yoga, and watching sports. Above all, she cherished spending time with her family, and helping and supporting others through the genuine love she put into the world. She was loved deeply by her family and will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her husband Dany Monares of Newton; sons Omar Monares and his wife Ashley of Wichita, and Roman Monares of Cincinnati; one grandson Duncan Monares; siblings Roland Friesen and his wife Jone, Anna Kilpatrick, Marlin Friesen and his wife Glenda; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and loved ones.

Luci was proceeded in death by her parents.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 31 at 10:30 A.M. at St Matthew’s Episcopal Church with the gravesite service following at Greenwood Cemetery. Then we will return to St Matthew’s for a reception. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 1 from 5:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. at Acapulco Mexican Restaurant in Newton.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice or the American Cancer Society.