Esther Bernice Moen

Esther Bernice Moen was born on July 27, 1916. Esther passed away on September 27, 2012 at the Luther Memorial Home, Mayville, ND. She was 96 years of age. Esther was born on a farm in Steele County near Golden Lake to Otis and Olga Vigen. She attended a country school and often pointed out that she walked across Golden Lake to get to school. Of Norwegian descent, she started school not being able to speak English. She was confirmed at Beaver Creek Lutheran Church when services were still done in Norwegian. Esther was married to Prentice Moen on November 10, 1943 at the Mayville Lutheran Church. They were married for 52 years. They lived and farmed north of Mayville eventually moving to town in 1964 after selling the farm. During her life, besides being a full time mom to six children, she worked at Super Valu, Ben Franklin and for 16 years in the food service department at Mayville State University. After retirement from MSU, Esther managed Colonial Estates until the age of 80. When not worrying about her children (Not that she had anything to worry about), Esther enjoyed playing cards of all sorts. She was part of a group who gathered regularly for over 40 years. She particularly enjoyed family gatherings, and many different crafts. She made many quilts giving them away as gifts to friends and family. At 96 her latest endeavor was creating and decorating wooden hearts with pictures, beads and all things that glitter. She loved giving them away as gifts to all who came to visit her. She kept her mind sharp with her love of puzzles of different sorts, from crossword to word searches. She loved having her family and relatives gather and providing hospitality which included more food that anyone could ever eat. Esther had the special gift of making everyone feel welcomed and loved. Her smile conveyed to all her big and warm heart. Her acceptance of all people was unconditional. Esther was preceded in death by her husband Prentice, her brothers (Orlin, Maurice, Wayne, Verle, and Lavonne) and her sister (Ethlyn). She is survived by her children, Paula (Darrel) of Phoenix, AZ, Stewart of Mayville, Bruce (Darlene) of Vancouver, WA, Michael of Portland, ND, Gordon (Kathy) of Jefferson, IA, and Thomas (Cheryll) of Mayville. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and she loved them all in her own special way. An awesome LADY has gone to her awesome LORD. Visitation: Will be on Sunday, September 30, 2012 from 5 ~ 7 PM at the Luther Memorial Home Chapel and will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Service: 10:00 AM Monday, October 1, 2012 at Mayville Lutheran Church in Mayville, ND. Burial: Mayville Cemetery, Mayville, ND.