Monica Lane Svaty July 6, 1946 - May 22, 2024

Manhattan, Kansas Monica Lane Svaty, 77, the loving wife of Karl Svaty and mother of Sonya, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2024. Monica will be honored with a Celebration of Life at home, to be announced. Born, July 6, 1946, and raised in Newton, Kansas by her parents, Lucius and Polly Miller. Monica graduated from Newton High in 1964. Following graduation, she attended Emporia State University before transferring to Kansas State University in 1966 to join Karl (Jerry). Monica and Karl were married on November 22, 1967, and both graduated in May, 1968. Monica had earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education. In the summer of 1968, a beautiful daughter, Sonya, was born to the family. Shortly after, Monica considered becoming a substitute teacher and wrote a letter to the Manhattan school district. They called immediately to request a visit, and when they learned her sister also taught there several years prior, she was offered a math teaching position in the high school. After two years of graduate school, Karl was awarded a master’s degree in engineering and obtained employment in New Jersey. Although quite a change, Monica quickly adapted. Unfortunately, Karl’s position only lasted until February 1971 when he was summoned to become a US Army Lieutenant. After spending some time at several Army posts in the US, Karl was assigned a position in Europe as a tank platoon leader in a tank battalion.

Monica’s sense of adventure, her ingenuity and creativity in solving any sort of problem and kindness to all creatures great and small will be remembered by all who loved her. Monica is survived by her husband Karl and daughter, Sonya of Chicago, her sister-in-law Anne Svaty and partner Mike of Lafayette, LA, her sister Paula and husband Jack Swickard of Littleton, CO, other nieces and nephews, and her rescue cat, Abby. In lieu of flowers, cards are much appreciated. A memorial for Monica L. Svaty has been established at the Kansas State University Foundation for the College of Education. Contributions may be sent to: KSU Foundation, 1800 Kimball Ave., Ste 200, Manhattan, KS 66502. Please indicate fund M47476. To make a gift online, go to ksufoundation.org/give/svaty. **The memorial fund is also listed on our KSUF memorial giving page.