Effie Monte

Effie Red Monte passed away in her home, as she wished, on Friday, October 4, 2024, surrounded by family. She was 94 years old.

Effie was born on March 17, 1930, to Bird and Nana (Eaton) Red, in the family home in Ignacio, Colo.

Effie was born and raised in Ignacio, growing up on the family farm. Effie was raised in the traditional way, she said she didn’t learn English until she was 7, her brother had taught her.

Effie attended the Ute Vocational School in Ignacio, Colo., eventually “leaving” to be at home with her family. Effie graduated from the Ignacio High School.

Effie married her high school sweetheart, John Monte on Nov. 2, 1949, in Aztec, N.M.

Effie worked for the Southern Ute Indian Tribe for many years. She worked in the Pino Nuché Restaurant in Ignacio, as a hostess and waitress. She worked at the Strater Hotel in Durango, Colo, in housekeeping. She helped open the first library at the Community Center in Ignacio. She also volunteered her time with many Tribal events, also serving on the Southern Ute Royalty Committee, as well as with the Southern Ute Agriculture Department.

Effie enjoyed traveling, and loved to gamble, often going to cities that coincidentally, had casinos – Las Vegas, Nev., Laughlin, Nev., Central City, Colo., and Albuquerque, N.M., being a few of her favorite destinations, as well as yelling “BINGO” at the old Elk’s Lodge in Ignacio.

Effie’s passion was in doll making, quilting, crocheting and knitting, beadwork and making dresses, skirts and shawls for her family. Effie also enjoyed bead working as well. Learning to sew and bead from her mother, Nana Red.

Effie and daughter Sherry, along with Liz Kent worked at the Sky Ute Gallery as part of the Southern Ute TEAM Program.

As a doll maker she was featured in The Southern Ute Drum, posing for photos with her “babies” soaking in the spring sunshine in front of her grandfather, Peter Eaton’s old farmhouse just north of Ignacio on Rainbow Road.

Effie showed her work at the Durango Arts Center for the “Tranquility of Nature” exhibit featuring Southern Ute contemporary art.

Effie also enjoyed fishing at Lake Capote or Scott’s Pond, and always catching the first fish!

Described as “feisty” and “ornery” by some, she was very loving to her family and friends, especially her four-legged children, “Shadow” and her Siamese cat “Kiva.”

Effie remembers the Ute stories, the songs and dances of long ago. She remembers the sun dancers and prays the Ute ways continue. She rose with the sun every day, and talked to it, and thanked it every evening. It’s the Ute way. She had said, “Those are the things that the people are supposed to be doing anyway. It’s kinda sad to see people forgetting this and getting wild out there.”

Effie is proceeded in death by her parents, Bird and Nana Red. Brothers, Levick Red, Melvin Red, Virgil Red, Raymond Red and sisters, Doris Thompson and Shirley Frost. Sons, Victor Monte, Norton Monte, Steven Monte, and William “Little John” Monte.

Effie is survived by her daughters, Victoria Gill, Sherry Salazar, and son, Drake Monte. Effie was also blessed with numerous nieces and nephews, grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, October 15, 2024 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Ignacio, Colo., and burial to follow at the Ouray Memorial Cemetery. A reception will be held after the burial at the Multi-Purpose Facility in Ignacio.