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

Funeral services were held on Thursday, December 23, 2010 at New Hope Church in Newfolden, MN with Pastor Ollie Urdahl officiating. Casket bearers included Viola's grandsons, Timothy Moen, Brian Hammer, Christopher Moen, Darin Rokke, Parick McDonald, Michael Rokke, Kent Rokke and Greg Duray. Honorary casket bearers included Viola's granddaughters, Kristene Halsne, Wendy Giles, Mary Efta, Heidi Collins, Jill Woodruff and Janelle Duray. Interment followed at Folden Cemetery, rural Newfolden, MN.

Viola Luella Haugen was born in Dugdale, (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 the Fertile Area through the eighth grade. Her family moved to the Gatzke area and later to rural Newfolden.

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 brothrs 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, MN and worked for Harstad and Sons Implement. In 1946, they purchased a farm one mile north of Newfolden, MN where they had dairy cows, chickens, hay, and a huge garden.

Kenneth took a job with William Collins and 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 kid's clothing, her daughter's 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 Leaders, 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 excellant 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, MN.

Survivors include five children, Kathryn Rokke of Newfolden, MN, Mariion (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; five great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Dorothy Watkins of Missouri and Alvina Stevens of WI; sister-in-law, Eileen Haugen of WI; and numerous relatives and friends.

She was 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 McConald, and baby girl Collins; three sons-in-law, James McDonald, Dale Rokke and Richard McDonald.