Ann Montgomery

Ann Michelle Tastad Montgomery, age 55, died Wednesday, November 13 at approximately 7:00 pm from complications from bilateral breast cancer.

Ann was born July 12, 1969, in Mendota, IL to Ron and Carol Tastad. She attended Mendota schools and was a proud member of the Class of 1987. While she was in high school, she started running and was the only girl on the cross-country team for two years. She also ran track, and was a two-time state qualifier. She made lifelong friends through running and her love of sport. Ann would go on to IVCC, then EIU where she studied journalism. She married Ron Montgomery on May 3, 2003 on Fort Myers Beach, FL.

Ann worked for various newspapers throughout her career, ending her newspaper days at the Beloit Daily News. The only thing that curt her writing days was the birth of her boys, Cole and Alexander. They meant everything to her. She became a Scout mom, and learned a lot of trivia thanks to Cole and his love for geography and history. The Montgomery’s cheered for the Milwaukee Brewers and the Wisconsin Badgers. They traveled extensively, enjoying Biloxi Beach, MS and Naples, FL. It seemed we were always planning a trip, sometimes just for a weekend, and sometimes a two-week trip to various baseball stadiums and historical sites.

Ann was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer in 2015. She fought through chemo, radiation, and surgeries. After being deemed cancer-free, Ann began work at the Rockton School District as a paraprofessional. She would go on to join the Early Childhood program at the Harlem School District, at Parker Center and then Maple Elementary School. She so loved her “littles.” Thank you to the Harlem School District for its support during Ann’s return to school in 2023.

Her last setback was broken vertebrae and a recurrence of breast cancer near her stomach and esophagus. Thank you to all the Meal Trains and visits from her Rockton/Roscoe moms. Friends are truly family you choose. She could not have survived all these years without Ron, her boys, and the moms. You know who you are.

Over the years, Ann enjoyed watching Ron start his own financial firm, commercial property, and vacation rentals. Ron could envision things Ann could only imagine. Thank you for introducing me to Biloxi Beach and Naples. She loved the Gulf of Mexico.

Ann is survived by her husband Ron, her boys, Cole and AJM, all of Rockton; her brother, Chris and Stacey Tastad of Jacksonville, FL; her in-laws, Duke and Judy Montgomery of Beloit, WI; her step brother, Dan and Sheri Mathews of Marseilles; two aunts, Ruthann Tastad of Rockford, and Judy Cofoid of Utica, IL; several cousins who were her first friends, and friends across the country. She is further survived by Ron’s family, including his brother, Jeff, of Brookfield, WI and the Palzkill family of Mineral Point, WI. There are too many of you to name.

She was preceded in death by her beloved father in 1990, her mother and biggest supporter in 2021. Ann could never express how much she missed her parents. She was also preceded by her grandparents, Clarence and Elvina Bagley; Otis Tastad and Charlotte and Russ Brecht, and two uncles, Warren Cofoid and Dan Tastad. Ann also has two babies awaiting her in Heaven. What a glorious reunion it will be. And finally, she was a cat mom to several who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge.

Memorials can be directed to Ron Montgomery, and will go towards cancer research, a fund to educate her boys, or the Rockton Lions Club. Special thanks to the staff at the Carbone Cancer Clinic, Rockford, for their incredible work. Don’t ever give up! And a final shoutout to palliative specialist, Harneet Gahley, for her guidance in recent months.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, November 22, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Rockton American Legion Post #332, 221 West Main St., Rockton, IL. Cremation Rites were Accorded. McCorkle Funeral Home - Rockton Chapel assisted the family.