Lila Moen

Published 12:00 am Friday, February 13, 2009

A celebration of life for Lila Mae (Olson) Moen will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, Mora. Lila died at the age of 84 on Feb. 11, 2009, at the Villa Care Center in Mora.
Lila was born Oct. 27, 1924, at the home of Bernard and Bertha (Rasmussen) Olson, rural Manchester. Lila was the oldest of six children. She was baptized and confirmed at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. Lila attended country school.
She was united in marriage to Alvin Moen by the Rev. Bondo at Central Freeborn Lutheran Church on Feb. 23, 1940. Together they farmed in the Myrtle and Manchester areas. In 1959, they moved to a farm near Mora.
Lila worked at the Sportsman Cafe in Mora for 25 years. It was during these years as a waitress that she shared stories about the many families she saw year after year as they traveled north to fish and hunt. Prior to retiring, Lila worked at the Villa Care Center as a cook. Lila’s most favored pastime was flower gardening , stating “to relax was to work with my flowers.” Passersby would stop to look and talk to Lila about her flowers.
She was a member and past president of the Mora Flower Club. Lila enjoyed entering her flowers and arrangements at the flower shows and fairs, where she won many ribbons and awards. In her mid-60s she learned oil painting, winning awards for her entries and giving her paintings to family members. But most of all, Lila’s greatest joy was her family.
Left to cherish her memory are daughter, Darlene (Gustafson) Olson, Mora; son, Dick (Beverly) Moen, Mora; many grandchildren and great- grandchildren; twin siblings, Millie Lyndorff and Milton Olson, both of Albert Lea; brother-in-law, Leonard Stevens, Albert Lea; and many beloved nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
To be joined in Heaven with her parents; husband, Alvin (Oct. 27, 2008); son, Dean (Feb. 15, 1999); two son-in-laws: Denny Gustafson and Jerry Olson; sisters: Mary Stevens, Valda VanRyswyk Bankers; brother, Lloyd Olson; brother-in-laws: Erling Lyndorff, Vernon (Slim) VanRyswyk and Jim Bankers; and sister-in-law, Mona Olson.
Lila’s faith saw her through many sad and happy times. Her memories will give comfort to those who love and miss her.