Pamela June (Crowder Hefner) Montez

Pamela June Montez, age 76, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away on Friday, September 18, 2026, in her home.

Pam was born September 8, 1950, in St. Joseph, Missouri, the second daughter of Billy Leroy Crowder and Ramona Evelyn (Hobbs) Crowder.

She spent her early childhood in St. Joseph, where she attended Neely Elementary School. When Pam was in the third grade, her father was transferred to Topeka through his work with Dolly Madison Bakery. She finished that school year at Polk Elementary and later attended Highland Park Central and Highland Park Junior High before graduating from Highland Park High School in 1968.

After high school, Pam worked as a switchboard operator for Bell Telephone from 1968 to 1971. Then, in 1972, her life took an unexpected and deeply meaningful turn.

Pam attended a Full Gospel Business Men’s Convention at the Lake of the Ozarks, expecting only to be away for the weekend. She had packed just a few outfits and toiletries. While there, she felt called to ministry—and she did not return home.

Instead, Pam boarded a plane for Hammonton, New Jersey, where she attended discipleship school through Youth With a Mission. From 1973 to 1974, she served as a missionary in Guyana, South America, where she witnessed many healings and miracles. She considered this one of the most incredible experiences of her life and felt deeply honored to serve the Lord and share His love, mercy, and grace with others.

Her faith remained an important part of who she was throughout her life.

Professionally, Pam also worked for General Printing and the State of Kansas before eventually retiring from the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation (KTEC) in 2000.

Pamela married Stephen Michael Hefner on February 14, 1976, in Topeka. Together, they welcomed two beautiful daughters, Sarah E. Nelson and Allison M. Morgan. Pam and Steve shared 19 wonderful years together until his passing on September 11, 1995.

Pam was blessed to find love again later in life. She married Henry “Monte” G. Montez on May 6, 2000, in Topeka. Together, Pam and Monte enjoyed many wonderful years traveling, attending jazz and blues festivals, and dancing to live bands. As much as they enjoyed those adventures, nothing brought them greater joy than spending time with their family and enjoying their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Throughout her life, Pam wore many roles—and she embraced them wholeheartedly. She served for many years as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader, was active in the PTOs at her daughters’ schools, served as a room mother and carnival chair, and volunteered countless hours wherever she was needed. Perhaps one of her favorite roles, however, was being a second mom to so many of her daughters’ friends.

Pam had a gift for opening both her home and her heart to others. Her home became a place of comfort, refuge, laughter, and belonging for many friends and family through the years. This included the many teenagers who gathered there regularly for Youth for Christ meetings. For those who needed a safe place, a listening ear, a meal, encouragement, or simply somewhere they knew they were welcome, Pam’s door was often open.

Later in life, Pam discovered another passion: writing. She began penning Christian children’s books, allowing her faith and love for children to come together in yet another way. Her first published work was Twila: Facts Are Facts.

Pam’s greatest joy, however, was her family.

She is survived by her loving husband of 26 years, Henry Montez of Topeka; her daughters, Sarah (Nikkolas) Nelson of Topeka and Allison (Travis) Morgan of Maple Hill, Kansas; and her beloved grandchildren, James Anderson III, Dalton (Morgan) Morgan, Trenton (Bre) Morgan, Brooklyn (Dylan Coleman) Palubinski, Faith Morgan, Mickey Morgan, and her “twincesses,” Kimora and Kimbria Johnson.

And finally came what Pam considered a dream come true: becoming a great-grandmother. She was blessed with great-grandchildren Asher, Tobias, and Esmae Morgan.

Pam is also survived by her big sister, Cheryl Bozarth, and her little brother, Bill Crowder, both of Topeka, as well as many beloved in-laws, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends, all of whom will miss her deeply.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Billy Leroy and Ramona Evelyn Crowder; her first husband, Stephen Michael Hefner; and her two stepsons, Kevin Anderson and James “Kimo” Anderson II.

A funeral service will take place on Friday, September 25th, 2026 at 3:00PM at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS, 66604 with a visitation one hour prior. Private family inurnment will take place at Mount Calvary Cemetery at a later date.

The funeral service will be livestreamed and will begin 15 minutes before service time. To register to watch the livestream, please visit the following link: Pamela Montez Funeral Service Livestream

In lieu of flowers, the family strongly encourages memorial contributions to:

Highland Park High School C/O Principal Julie Watson For “The HP Plaza” 2424 SE California Ave. Topeka, KS 66605

Pam was an incredibly proud graduate of Highland Park High School’s Class of 1968, and it is our family’s sincere wish that part of her legacy continue through The HP Plaza, Highland Park High School’s student and family resource center.

The HP Plaza was created to provide Highland Park students and families with opportunities for learning, resources, support, and a sense of community-all without having to leave campus. At its heart, the HP Plaza exists to make sure students and families know they are supported, connected, valued, and cared for.

That mission reflects so much of how Pam lived her own life.

She believed in opening doors. She believed in helping young people. She believed in giving people a place where they felt welcomed and supported. And throughout her life, she consistently showed that one of the most loving things we can do is help lift up children, young people, and families, especially within communities where those invaluable resources can make an immeasurable difference.

It is our hope that gifts made in Pam’s memory will continue that spirit of caring for others for many years to come.

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.” — Proverbs 3:27

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