Ruth Moen

Ruth Carol (Tendeland) Moen, of Hawley, MN, passed away Sunday, October 8, 2023, after the Twins won, at the age 92 years 8 months and 7 days.

Ruth was born at home January 31,1931 in Norman County, to Tenny and Grettie (Blake) Tendeland, the fifth child of the Tendeland eight.

Ruth loved to read, her favorite spot to read growing up was in the hayloft. She would be reading two or three books at one given time. 

Following graduation from Climax High School, Ruth stayed around home to help with the family, where she mastered her cooking and baking skills. Ruth became a soda jerk at the Engle Drugstore in Crookston.  After a few visits to the drugstore, Bennet Oscar Moen asked her out on date. Bennet and Ruth were married on July 2, 1953.

Ruth and Bennet made their home in Crookston, and on their first wedding anniversary they welcomed their first child, Sonja Janess.  Son, Brent Owen followed in December 1955 and a few years later in May 1959, son, Jon David arrived.  Settling into family life, Ruth was a stay-at-home mom where home cooked meals and baked goods were readily available.  In December 1963, daughter, Beth Christine, was born.  

In 1967, a job opportunity came along for Bennet to work with Cargill in Glyndon, MN. Bennet promised Ruth a house, so with four kids and one on the way, they moved to the “barn red” house on the edge of town in Hawley, MN in September of 1967.  Syneva Ruth completed the Bennet & Ruth Moen family that November.

Ruth was active with Hawley Lutheran from the day they moved to Hawley.  She taught Sunday School, and confirmation, lead Bible Study, Ladies Aide and helped with newsletter.  Ruth also enjoyed Homemakers and Hawley Literary Clubs.

Once the kids were all in school, Ruth started to roll Lefse and rolled for many years with Carl’s Lefse.  As time went on, she shared her cooking talents by catering meals for the Men’s and Ladies’ Night at the Hawley Clubhouse.  Ruth also became a cook’s assistant at Hawley Public schools for a few years.

Ruth and Bennet traveled to many states throughout their marriage. Their most memorable trip was a cruise to Alaska for their wedding anniversary in 2004 when they celebrated their 51^st anniversary.

Ruth continued to live in the love filled house following the death of Bennet in 2005.  In 2020 Ruth moved into the loving care of Hawley Assisted Living.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bennet; son-in-law Jefferey Richardson; great grandson Cole Engeland; brothers, Terris (Benora), Ollin and Robert; sisters MaryAnn Hetland (Warner), Joyce (Ronnie)Scott and ClaireMae (Thelmer) Olson.

Left to cherish her memory: Children, Sonja (Kevin) Teigen of Moorhead, MN; Brent (Kim) of Hawley, MN; Jon (Cindy) of Casselton, ND; Beth (Bryon) Jorgenson of Lino Lakes, MN; Syneva (Brent)Adkins of Waverly, MN; Brother: Pat (Debbie); Sisters-in-laws Sandy Tendeland & Doris Tendeland; Grandchildren: Christopher (April) Teigen, Candace (Matthew) Mecklenburg,  Carilynne (Steven) Elofson,  Brock (Heidi) Knutson,  Brandon (Crystal) Knutson,  Breanne Moen,  Joshua (Iris Rodriguez) Moen,  Matthew (Jess) Moen, Melissa (Colby) Linstad,  Arianna (Anthony) Mork,  Anders (Michelle) Jorgenson,  Ethan (Jenna)Richardson and Hannah (Joel Demers) Richardson; Great grandchildren: Hailee & Kennedy Teigen, Ashlyn & Bennet Mecklenburg, Gavin, Marley & Brynn Knutson, Kendall & Maggie Knutson, Noah Engeland, Brantley & Addison Moen, Chloe Ann Lindstad, Asher & Ava Mork, James Jorgenson. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Special thank you to Jenni Barr and the staff of Hawley Senior Living that cared for Ruth for the last three years.

Memorials preferred to GiGi’s Playhouse Fargo https://gigisplayhouse.org/fargo/ or the Hawley Lutheran Sunday School.

Visitation will be Friday, November 3, 2023, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M., at Hawley Lutheran Church.  The funeral will be Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 11:00 A.M., at the church. All are welcome to wear Twins attire for the services.  Interment will take place at Varnes Lutheran Cemetery in Fertile, MN.