Loren “Ed” Mondt, Jr.
BOONE, Iowa—Loren Edward Mondt Jr., known to many as Ed, left us on March 20, 2026, at the age of 86. Ed’s life was one of deep-rooted passion for his community, his family, and the preservation of history.
Ed was born on October 8, 1939, in Boone, Iowa, to Loren Edward Sr. and Annabelle Marie (Baird) Mondt. He grew up working in his parents’ business The Mondt Hotel and Restaurant. After a fire destroyed the hotel and restaurant the family built a new restaurant called the Mondt Townhouse. Ed graduated from Boone High School in 1958. He continued his education locally and later earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Arizona in 1962. Ed returned to Boone to manage the family restaurant. He dedicated himself for many years, working alongside his family in the restaurant until its final closure in 1985. Ed then continued his career in various hospitality management roles until his retirement in 2002.
As a true patriot, Ed served his country as a member of the Iowa National Guard and carried his commitment to service through his many memberships and contributions to preserving the local history and culture. He was a life member of the Boone County Historical Society, an original member of the Mamie Eisenhower Birthplace, and a dedicated member of both the Iowa and Boone Genealogical Societies for over 35 years. Ed was also an active contributor to the Boone News Republican, where he shared his deep knowledge and love for his hometown.
Ed’s personal passions centered around history and genealogy, and he devoted much of his time to researching and documenting the past. He was an avid collector, with treasured toy collections each reflecting his lifelong curiosity and appreciation for craftsmanship and the stories of the past. He also enjoyed building models of historic Boone buildings, bringing the town’s rich heritage to life in miniature form.
His dedication to his family, his community, and his interests was unwavering, and his legacy will live on through the countless ways he enriched the lives of others.
Ed is survived by his first cousins: John McPherson, Joyce Jensen, Pam Jones, and Karen Johnson.
A graveside service will be held Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 10:00 AM, at the Rose Hill Cemetery west of Boone, 1173 Laural Lane, Boone.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets in Boone. Online condolences may be left to Ed’s family at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com
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