Viola Moen, 98, of Newfolden, MN died on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at Valley Home in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, December 23, 2010 at New Hope Church in Newfolden, MN with Pastor Ollie Urdahl officiating. Burial will follow at Folden Cemetery, rural Newfolden, MN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM on Thursday at the church.

Viola Luella Haugen was born at Dugdale, MN (north of Fertile, MN) on April 6, 1912 the daughter of Andrew and Josephine (Borslien) Haugen. She was baptized and confirmed in Norwegian into the Lutheran faith at a country church near Fertile, MN. Viola attended school in Fertile, MN area through the eighth grade. Her family moved to the Gatzke, MN area and later to rural Newfolden, MN.

At an early age Viola developed a talent for sewing and her first employment was sewing clothing and quilts for neighbor families. In the 1930s Viola moved to Chicago, IL and went to work as a waitress, living with several brothers and sisters in an apartment.

She was united in marriage to Kenneth Moen on July 25, 1937 by Rev. Thorvald Myhrer. To this union five children were born, Kathryn, Marion, Eugene, Doreen and Judith. They lived in Warren, MN where Kenneth worked at Nelson Motors and in 1942 moved to Newfolden and worked for Harstad & Sons Implement. In 1946 they purchased a farm one mile north of Newfolden where they had dairy cows, chickens, hay, and a huge garden.

Kenneth took a job with William Collins & Sons Construction out of Fargo, ND and worked throughout North Dakota and South Dakota. Viola and children were able to accompany him in the summers as they could.

Throughout her years, Viola worked as a seamstress on many different projects including her kids clothing, her daughters wedding gowns, sleeping bags for grandchildren and numerous quilts. She started the Girls Mission Society (sewing club) and was active in Ladies Aid at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Newfolden. She was a Girl Scout Leader was very active with the Newfolden Senior Citizens and served on various committees. In the early 1980s Viola and Kenneth were named Outstanding Senior Citizens in Marshall County and were delegates to the Minnesota State Fair. Viola loved music, she played the accordion, auto harp and the piano. She was an excellent cook and made the best meatballs and lefse; and enjoyed entertaining family and friends.

Viola was a charter member of the New Hope Church in Newfolden.

Survivors include five children, Kathryn Rokke of Newfolden, MN, Marion (Norman) Hammer of Flandreau, SD, Gene (Sue) Moen of Bemidji, MN, Doreen McDonald of Moorhead, MN and Judy (Jerry) Duray of Newfolden, MN; 14 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; 5 great great grandchildren; sisters, Dorothy Watkins of Missouri and Alvina Stevens of Wisconsin; sister-in-law, Eileen Haugen of Wisconsin; and numerous relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Kenneth on December 25, 1986; brothers, Idon, Henning, Walter, Nyard, Kenneth, Reuben; sisters, Bergetta, Hannah, Amy, Kora, Evelyn; grandchildren, Bradley and Lynette Hammer; and four great grandchildren, Justin Halsne, Addison and Evan McDonald, and baby girl Collins; three sons-in-law, James McDonald, Dale Rokke and Richard McDonald.

Accompanist: Judy Hogberg
Congregational Hymns: It Is No Secret , On Christ The Solid Rock I Stand , Oh Come All Ye Faithful , I Am So Glad Each Christmas Eve
Casketbearers: Violas Grandsons, Timothy Moen, Brian Hammer, Christopher Moen, Darin Rokke, Patrick McDonald, Michael Rokke, Kent Rokke, Greg Duray
Honorary Casketbearers: Violas Granddaughters, Kristene Halsne, Wendy Giles, Mary Efta, Heidi Collins, Jill Woodruff, Janelle Duray