William "Bill" B. Montag

Northview - North Mankato Mortuary

2060 Commerce Drive

North Mankato, MN 56003

507-388-2288

Bill was born in Estherville, Iowa on August 27, 1926 to Izma and George Montag.  He grew up in Northwestern Iowa and graduated from West Bend High School.  Bill was a veteran of World War II discharged from the US Marine Corps in 1946.  After his military service Bill attended the University of Northern Iowa and graduated with a BA degree.  On June 7, 1949 he married MaryAnn Bjonerud (they had 7 children together).  Upon graduation he moved to Denver, Colorado and studied for and achieved a Masters degree in Business.  After graduate school Bill and his family moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota where he taught business and accounting at Northern State University for a few years.  Seizing a better opportunity to teach they moved to Mankato, Minnesota where he taught the same courses at the Mankato Teacher’s College (MSU), sold real estate, and opened a certified accountant office.  Bill was one of the first CPA’s in the Mankato area.  His accounting business grew and was the springboard for many of the Mankato accounting firms of the last 50 years.  His business was at first Montag Accounting then Montag and Abdo Accounting, then Montag, Abdo, Gazzola Accounting, then Montag, Abdo, Gazzola, and Morken Accounting.  Bill left the accounting business in the mid 60’s to take a CFO opportunity at the Johnson Reel Company.  While at Johnson Reel, he was instrumental in bringing the Minkota trolling motor to market in the USA.  He left Johnson Fishing in 1971 when he purchased Zeismer Ford in Mankato and renamed the dealership Montag Ford.  He operated Montag Ford until late 1975 when he sold the business.  Following this venture Bill became CFO for Lundin Construction Company, a job he held for some years and then went back into the accounting business with the firm Ahern, Montag, and Vogler. 

Bill married the love of his life-Marge Bies on March 31, 1978.  They were married for 42 years.

During his years in Mankato Bill served on many company and civic boards-President of Sertoma Club, President of the Mankato Golf Club, President of the Elks Club, and board member of Johnson Fishing Company, Lundin Construction, National Bank of Commerce, Minnesota Valley Credit Union, AFG, and Immanuel St. Joseph Hospital. 

Bill was an active church member, loved to golf-he had 5 holes in 1, play cards, fishing, traveling with his wife Marge, and always enjoyed a cocktail with friends. He also had a habit of bad jokes.

Bill is survived by his wife of 42 years Marge, 5 sons-Tom, Mick (Lisa), Jack (Kathy), Jim (Jane), and Bill Jr., two daughters-Randi (Dan), and Robyn, one step daughter-Lori Thomas, one step son-Kevin Bies and thirteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren. 

We would like to thank Oak Terrace Assisted Living of North Mankato for the loving care and attention given the last 6 months. 

A private family service will be held at Fort Snelling and a Celebration of Life function at Grace Lutheran Church in Mankato, MN. at a later date.