Tracey Ellen Monroe

Tracey Ellen Monroe passed peacefully into the arms of our Lord on Saturday, November 1st at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg, Wisconsin.

Born October 9, 1970, Tracey was the third-born daughter of Emil Joseph Liebewein, Jr. and Mary Ellen (Spangler) Liebewein, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her best friend and loving husband of 23 years, Lanty Monroe, and their amazing son Julian, with whom she shared a powerful bond as devoted mother, home-schooling educator, spiritual mentor and advocate. She is also survived by her three sisters and their husbands, Kelly (Roland) Raffel, Laurie (Rick) Spence and Amy (Jeff) Lietz, step-mother Deborah Dow Liebewein, and a sister-in-law Carrie Jester. She also leaves behind many adoring nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Tracey grew up in Palos Park, Illinois and from early on displayed an ardent love of nature and animals. Her caring heart was often drawn to soothe and nurture an ailing bird or bring a dying plant back to life. She carried a deep love and passion for horses throughout her life and continued to volunteer at a local barn for as long as she was physically able. She possessed an innate curiosity and quest for adventure, and her childhood days were filled with exploration, outdoor play and imaginative games. As an avid reader, she indulged her introspective side and would spend hours by herself totally absorbed in whatever she was reading.

During college Tracey worked for Southwestern Books, selling educational materials door-to-door. After a lackluster first summer, she returned a second year determined to win the coveted prize: “Man of the Year,” awarded to the top salesperson. She achieved the goal and was named Southwestern Books FIRST Woman of the Year, affectionately nicknamed “WOTY!”

She earned her BA in Psychology with honors from The University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1992. After college, Tracey found employment as a Human Resources Recruiter for Manpower Technical in Chicago, IL, yet it wasn’t long before her heart longed to move back to Madison. Tracey returned and found a welcoming community at the local Sunrise church, where she chose to be baptized again and met her forever love and future husband Lanty Monroe. After marrying in 2002 and combining their shared love of serving the Lord, they embarked on mission trips, evangelizing for Christ in places as remote as India before giving birth to a beloved only child in 2008, their son Julian.

Tracey treasured motherhood and found a supportive Christian community through their church and home-schooling cooperative. She and Julian shared a special bond, spending their days together as they learned, created, and explored. Their time together was a blessing made possible by Lanty’s hard work and support. Together, they raised Julian to be the amazing young man he is today.

To balance motherhood and work, Tracey started her own part-time medical transcription business following her employment with The University of Wisconsin Hospital. Tracey eventually phased out her business and most recently worked at Kids Junction Learning Center as an HR Manager.

Tracey had a determined, fighting tenacity and was continually an advocate for herself and others. Most remarkable, however, was her indominable spirit, plucky humor and unwavering faith in Christ--on full display throughout her incredibly challenging last 2 ½ years of life: her journey with ALS. As a self-proclaimed “ALS Warrior,” Tracey helped lessen stigma of the disease, always pointing to Christ and having a smile on her face despite her trials. Her light and humor shined brightly through it all, as she continued to bring smiles and laughter to everyone she encountered.

A gathering will be held on Sunday, November 9 at Red Village Church, 5202 Regent Street, from 2 pm, followed by a memorial service at 2:30 pm. For those that are unable to join the family in person, please join them virtually at  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86522168386

 In lieu of flowers, memorials in Tracey's name to ALS Association (https://www.als.org/), Red Village Church (https://www.redvillagechurch.com/), or Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation (https://equineadoption.com/).

We will dearly miss Tracey’s beautiful soul; her love and her light, her admirable unwavering devotion to Christ, and her love for God’s creation and His creatures. Yet we rejoice that our beloved Tracey is dancing again in His light!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,

 “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” 

--Jerimiah 29:11

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services

608-238-3434