Mathilde Moe

Mathilde Moe, 96, of Crookston, MN, died peacefully early Christmas Day evening, December 25, 2011, in the Summit Apartments surrounded by her family. Martha Mathilde Njus was born at McIntosh, MN on April 17, 1915, and was the second of five children of the union of The Rev. Lars and Ingeborg (Sime) Njus. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, and at the age of eight moved with her family to Decorah, Iowa. In 1929 the Njus family returned to the area and settled on a farm near Erskine, MN. Mathilde graduated from Erskine High School in 1933 and furthered her education with a year of teacher's training at the Normal School in McIntosh. She taught in local country schools at Kertsonville Township for three years and Bygland Township for one year. On June 11, 1938 Mathilde was united in marriage to Melvin Truman Moe at Grace Lutheran Church in Erskine. The couple made their home in Russia Township, near Crookston, where Melvin farmed for many years. Together, Mathilde and Melvin raised four sons and three daughters: Alden, Janet, Donald, Roger, Paul, Maxine, and Sherilyn. During the 1950's Mathilde was employed at the Gopher Grill in Crookston, and then at Sekula's Café. She later began working part-time at the Polk County Courthouse. In 1965 Melvin and Mathilde moved into Crookston from the farm. She joined the staff in the Polk County Treasurer's Office that same year, and was an endearing figure there until her retirement as Deputy Treasurer in 1977. Mathilde and Melvin celebrated their sixty-fifth wedding anniversary in 2003, and Melvin passed away less than a year later on March 18, 2004. Mathilde and Melvin spent a lifetime in service to church and community. They were very devoted members of the Hafslo Lutheran Church, rural Crookston, and then at Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston, after the closing of Hafslo. While at Hafslo, Mathilde played the organ and taught Sunday school for over 25 years. She was a member of Trinity's WELCA, and was the former president of the Altar Guild. Mathilde was also a member of the Onstad Homemakers' Club for over fifty years; a life member of the Sons of Norway Morgensol Lodge, where she was also the pianist; and was a member of the Crookston Chapter of Business and Professional Women (BPW). Mathilde was very active in DFL politics and was a loyal supporter of two elected sons in the state legislature. She was a recipient of the Polk County DFL Award. In 1979 she was honored as one of seven Minnesota women who were named Merit Mothers. Mathilde also received Crookston's Experienced American Award. She loved people as much as they loved her. Mathilde enjoyed social gatherings and spending time with her many friends. However, her greatest joy was found when at the center of her family. Her children all feel very blessed to have grown up in such a loving Christian home; one in which Mathilde was the glue that bound them all together. Mathilde was the focus of Moe family life for several generations. She rarely missed a family baptism, confirmation, wedding, reunion, high school graduation or holiday event, or any other social event. Grateful to have shared in her life are her seven children: Alden (Elayne) Moe of Orlando, FL, Janet (Harvey) Solheim of Crookston, MN, Donald Moe (Colleen Halpine) of St. Paul, MN, Roger (Paulette) Moe of Erskine, MN, Paul Moe of Eagan, MN, Maxine (Clint) Rasmusson of Ada, MN, and Sherilyn (Ted) Margitan of Columbia Heights, MN; eighteen grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Njus of Waltham, MA; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives, including nieces, Judylyn Moe of Crookston, and Charlene (Walter) Stromstad of Beltrami, MN. In addition to her beloved husband, Melvin, she was preceded in death by her parents, The Rev. Lars and Ingeborg Njus; and four brothers: Ingmar, Kasper, Erling, and Henrik. May God richly bless Mathilde's memory. A funeral service in celebration of the life of Mathilde Moe will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, December 30, 2011, in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Crookston with The Rev. Greg Isaacson and The Rev. Jo Gast, co-officiating. Visitation will be at the Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home on Thursday from 5-7:00 pm, with a 7:00 pm prayer service, and also at the church for one hour prior to the funeral. Interment will be in the Hafslo Cemetery, rural Crookston. Memorials may be given in Mathilde's honor to the Care and Share Center, 220 East 3rd Street, Crookston, MN 56716 or Crookston Area Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 734, Crookston, MN 56716.



Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

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Previous Events

Visitation
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Service
Friday, December 30, 2011
cemetery
Friday, December 30, 2011