Beatrice Moe, 1916-2018

Published 1:00 am Thursday, January 3, 2019

Funeral services for Beatrice “Bea” Moe, 102, of Albert Lea will be at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at First Lutheran Church in Glenville. The Rev. Don Malinsky and Vicar Joshua Blair will officiate. Interment will be at First Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Beatrice Moe

Bea died Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, at St. John’s Lutheran Community.

Beatrice “Bea” Alice Amanda (Wolff) Moe was born Aug. 4, 1916, on a farm in rural Glenville to Emil and Agnes (Straka) Wolff. Bea was baptized Jan. 5, 1917, at Evangelical Lutheran Church in Park Rapids. She was confirmed June 10, 1930, at First Lutheran Church in Glenville by the Rev. AC Korsrud and was a lifetime member there.

During Bea’s early life she lived on the farm, helping her dad outdoors and loving the animals and nature. Bea attended school in District 52 near Glenville and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1934. Bea attended Austin Teachers Training College in Austin. After college, Bea taught elementary grades at District 52 for two years and District 35 for three years.

On Sept. 1, 1940, Bea married Helmer Moe at First Lutheran Church in Glenville. They lived in Glenville in the house they built for 67 years. Bea had been a homemaker all her life. During that time she taught Sunday school over 41 years and was a superintendent for several years. She also taught vacation Bible school and was a member of First Lutheran Church Women and Mary Martha Circle, holding offices in each. On the church council she was the first woman deacon, was financial treasurer and prayer chain chairwoman for many years. Mission projects were always special to her — especially making soap and quilts.

Beginning in the early-1950s, she had a ride service for several elderly ladies who had appointments in Albert Lea. This covered about 25 years.

She was a volunteer in the Ground Observer Corp. of the United States Air Force after World War II during the Korean War and received recognition for over 10,000 hours of service for identifying planes from the United States Air Force.

Bea was always available to anyone who needed her in time of illness. Bea cared for her mother for many years. She was also a caregiver to many other family members. Bea wrote over 220 personal poems for bridal showers, wedding anniversaries or any special occasion for many years.

Bea enjoyed her nieces and nephews, and her great- and great-great-nieces and nephews, going to their school activities and sports. They were her family. Bea loved to babysit them and bake and cook their favorite foods. Bea also enjoyed gardening, the flowers and trees, marveling at God’s creations. In later years she and Helmer enjoyed traveling the United States, including Alaska. The only state they did not visit was Hawaii.

Besides the mission quilting, Bea crocheted, liked to read and do crossword puzzles.

Bea and Helmer moved to Knutson Place in 2007. After Helmer passed away in 2008, Bea spent many hours walking and visiting people at St. John’s. Bea was a devoted Christian who shared her faith with everyone she met. Bea helped with the snack cart at Knutson Place every week until just a few years ago. Bea also rode the Knutson Place van to do her shopping at Walmart, Shopko and MarketPlace Foods until she was over 100 years old. Bea enjoyed her visits from family. She always had snacks and candy bars. Bea loved decorating her apartment door with family pictures. Bea lived independently in her apartment until December 18, 2018.

Survivors include nephews Bruce Paulsen and Craig Wolff; nieces Gertrude Gaarder, Edna Fenske and Nancy Harris; special families Bill and Pat Avery and their children Jennifer (Allen) Lego and their children Mya, Jada, Keira and Alexa Lego; Megan (T.J.) Flatness and their children Akaylah, Brextyn, Xennyn and Zaydah; Cindy (Gene) Davis and their children Justin (Jaime) Davis, and their children Evie, Brock and Blake, and Garrett (Sydney) Davis and their son, Bo, Kailey (Garret) Weber and their son, Adam, Doug (Kelly) Mehus and their children Alyssa (Lyon) Yoo and their children Brayden and Gia, Aaron (fiancee, Mary Kate) Mehus and Scott (Laurie) Mehus and their children Andrew and Kenmund; and many great- and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Bea was preceded in death by her husband, Helmer; parents Emil and Agnes Wolff; sisters Muriel (Charlie) Paulsen and Audrey (Gene) Mehus; brother, LuVerne (Doris) Wolff; nephew, Palmer Granholt; great-nephews Palmer Granholt Jr., Ronald Granholt and Adam Davis; niece, Cheryl Rehder; and great-great-niece, Rae Davis.

Memorials are preferred to Glenville First Lutheran Cemetery Perpetual Care.