Helen E. Moe • 1916 - 2011

Helen E. Moe, 94, who lived most of her life in Minot, passed away Saturday, March 26, 2011, in a Minot nursing home.

She was born Sept. 12, 1916, in a house near McKinley Elementary School in Minot, a daughter of William and Ida (Nelson) McCormick. At age 13, she moved with her family to Stanley where her father worked for the railroad. She graduated from Stanley High School in 1934, and shortly thereafter, returned to Minot. She attended Minot Business College. The training she acquired there, including shorthand and typing landed her a job in a government office where she helped teach others what they needed to know for Depression-era jobs.

She met Donald O. Moe in Minot. They were married in Stanley April 19, 1941.  While he served in the Army during World War II, she was employed at International Harvester Co. in Minot. After his discharge from military service, he returned to Minot where they continued to make their home. He worked for Frosaker Motors and was an agent for Pioneer Mutual Life Insurance Co. for several years until 1957 when he purchased an interest in the old Parker Motor automobile distributorship that was founded in 1922. He became the sole owner of the business in 1968.

The dealership became Don Moe Dodge. Helen worked with her husband in its operation, acquiring the title of executive assistant at the company. She also helped in the care of her husband’s mother as her health failed.

Helen was a skilled and talented woman, starting as a young girl when she worked beside her mother baking pies and candy at the restaurant she operated in Stanley. She developed legendary cooking and decorating skills that served her well at gatherings she and her husband hosted in their Minot home.
               
Her faith was important to her. She was a lifelong member of First Lutheran Church in Minot. A musician, her voice was especially noteworthy. She sang in the church choir and at many weddings and funerals, and was a member of a vocal trio. She volunteered her skills as a pie baker at various church functions.
               
She was a keen bridge player and developed that talent into the more demanding aspects of the game known as duplicate bridge. Helen played cards with the same friends from World War II until shortly before her death.
               
Her daughters describe her as a “triumphant woman.” Her motto was “Live while you’re living,” and she put it into practice, playing golf at the Minot Country Club where she and her husband were members until age 89. Before her husband’s death in 1995, she and he enjoyed walking together in Minot’s Oak Park or at the Minot State University Dome. She worked out at the Minot YMCA, for exercise physiology and completed Manorcare’s physical and occupational therapy program. This gave her great stamina to live a life fulfilled.
               
Helen fully lived her philosophy with genuine optimism and perseverance. She led every active life of service, and assisted each person whose life she touched to fulfill beneficial dreams.
               
Surviving: daughters, Kathy (James) AshtonMiller, Ann Arbor, Mich.; Marilyn (Wes) Fiedler, Minot; grandchildren, Lindsay AshtonMiller, Ian AshtonMiller and Owen (Jennifer) Fiedler; nieces and nephews: Helen Anne Olson, Elna Kassen, Myra Moe, Billie Crouse, Roger Abelson, Frankie Edberg, Bill McCormick; sister-in-law Reiko Moe; special cousins, Melinda Deibert and John Moe and Merle Jean and Walt Stein.  Helen was able to enjoy the last years of her life with her assistant and companion Arlene Weigel.
               
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, brother Francis (Agnes) McCormick, brother-in-law: Stanley Moe and his first wife Doris, sisters Evelyn (Chester) Abelson and Elna McCormick, nephew Frances McCormick and a niece Sue McCormick Love.

Funeral: Monday, April 4, 2011, 10:30 a.m., First Lutheran Church, Minot.
              
Visitation: Sunday, April 3, from noon until 5 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.
               
Burial: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

Officiant: Rev. Ken Nelson

Music
Prelude Organ Solo, “Love Lifted Me”
Opening hymn “Weave Us Together”
Steve Geller, vocalist to offer special music
“Beautiful Savior” and “The Lord’s Prayer”
Congregational Hymn “Let There Be Peace On Earth”
Closing hymn “Soon and Very Soon”
Norman Paskowsky, organist

Honorary Bearers: Helen’s family and friends

Active Bearers: Lindsay AshtonMiller, James  AshtonMiller, Ian AshtonMiller, Owen Fiedler, Wes Fiedler, Jennifer Fiedler, Roger Abelson

Following the graveside service, everyone is invited to join the family for lunch and fellowship in the fellowship hall of the church, located directly East of the church, though the courtyard.

To sign the online guest register for Helen
To view the online guest register for Helen

To view Helen's folder

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