Olen Monsees, one of the biggest names in commercial real estate in Kansas City, died Sept. 22. Monsees, who was battling cancer, was 72.
Monsees had been president of Kansas City-based Karbank Real Estate Company since 1984. A memorial service has been scheduled for Friday, Sept. 28, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s United Methodist Church, 6900 Ward Parkway in Kansas City, Mo.
A written statement from Karbank Real Estate described the impact that Monsees had on the Kansas City real estate industry:
“Olen was an iconic figure in the Kansas City real estate brokerage community. He distinguished himself with his plain-spoken wisdom, his quiet dignity and his low-keyed manner that engendered deep loyalty among his clients, friends and colleagues. He was universally respected for his knowledge, his integrity and his dedication to the effective representation of his clients.”
During his years at Karbank, Monsees worked on several high-profile projects. He helped bring the first cellular tower network to the Kansas City area and helped make Kansas City an intermodal rail and trucking hub for the Norfolk Southern Railway.
“What we, his colleagues, will remember of Olen is that he treated people fairly, with respect and with an expectation that one should always do what is right,” Karbank’s written statement said. “His words and his actions were always in sync. His moral compass was both accurate and consistent.Olen Monsees was the finest of gentlemen.”
