Obituaries : Monte L. Railsback

Monte L. Railsback, 87, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Friday, 26 December, 2025 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Monte’s wife, MaryAnn (Wajda) Railsback, 82, preceded him in death after passing away on 6 November, 2024 after a prolonged illness, surrounded by her family.

Visitation will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church in Vinton, Iowa Friday, 2 January, 2026 from 8:30 to 9:45 AM. Mass will follow at 10:00 AM, officiated by Father Ken Glaser. Light refreshments will be offered after mass. Interment of Monte and MaryAnn will follow at Rock Island National Cemetery at 2:00 PM. Procession will leave from St. Mary Church at 11:45 AM. 

Monte was born on 22 November, 1938 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Russell and Sylvia (Moubry) Railsback. Monte graduated from Shellsburg High School in 1956. After high school, Monte enlisted in the US Navy briefly before starting his career in the United States Marine Corps.

MaryAnn was born on 9 January, 1942 to Henry and Anna (Hodorwicz) Wajda. MaryAnn graduated from Glenbrook North High School in 1960. While working at Nelson Printing, MaryAnn learned that an Off-Duty Marine was working at a local gas station. She soon had a desire to attend the Marine Corps Ball. Through some intervention, Monte and MaryAnn’s first date was at the 1960 Marine Corps Ball. They continued to see each other, and on 25 July 1961 they were married on her parents’ 25th wedding anniversary.

Monte served in the United States Marine Corps from 1956-1977. During that time, Monte and MaryAnn traveled to various USMC duty stations, including NAS, Glenview, Illinois, Force Troops, Atlantic, Camp Lejeune, N.C., I&I Staff, Lansing, Michigan, Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan, and their final duty station at Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington, DC. Monte proudly served two tours in Vietnam while MaryAnn held down the fort raising their children.

During their travels, Monte and MaryAnn had three children: Kevin, Kandis, and Kimberly Railsback.

In 1977, Monte retired from the United States Marine Corps as an E-8 Master Sergeant.  After retirement, Monte, MaryAnn, and their children resided in Shellsburg, Iowa. After his military career, Monte began a new career at General Mills in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Monte proudly made Wheaties for 26 years. MaryAnn was a dedicated homemaker and took pride in raising their children.

After his retirement, he was a dedicated member of the American Legion Post 166, holding various titles, including Vice Commander of the State. He was a proud member of the local 40-8 and the Marine Corps League. Monte was a proud member of Shellsburg and shared a wealth of town knowledge with his community. Monte and MaryAnn were devout Catholics attending St. Mary Church in Vinton, Iowa.

Monte and MaryAnn took great pride in being grandparents to Kosette Brown of Ankeny and Keenan Brown of Shellsburg.  They were able to attend both grandchildren's confirmations in Christ. Over the years, they enjoyed many family trips. They were able to see Kosy graduate from UNI in 2016. 60 years after Monte graduated from USMC boot camp, they were able to see Keenan graduate from USMC boot camp at MCRD San Diego in 2016. In 2022, Monte and MaryAnn proudly attended the union of Keenan and Hannah (Hoepner) Brown at the Little Brown Church.

Prior to MaryAnn’s passing, Monte and MaryAnn had celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary.

Monte and MaryAnn survived by their children: Kevin Railsback, Kandis (Ken) Brown, and Kimberly (Anatoly) Johnson. Grandchildren: Kosette Brown, Keenan (Hannah) Brown, and Jacob Johnson. Monte's brother, Joslyn (Denise) Railsback. MaryAnn survived by her sister, Eleanore (Wajda) Sladek who passed shortly after her.

Monte and MaryAnn were preceded in death by Monte's parents, Russell and Sylvia (Mourby) Railsback, and MaryAnn's parents, Henry and Anna (Hodorwicz) Wajda. MaryAnn’s brother, Henry Wajda.

Their family would like to thank Keystone Care Center, Dr. Kopec and staff at St. Lukes Heart Care Clinic, Dr. Allen and staff at UnityPoint Internal and Family Medicine, St. Luke’s Palliative Care team, Dr. Saxena and staff at UnityPoint Kidney Center, and St. Luke’s Hospital staff for the exceptional care they both received. A special thank you to the St. Luke’s Hospital Inpatient Hospice Unit for providing peace and comfort during their final days.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local animal shelter in their name.

Online condolences: www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com