Obituary of Ken Moen

It is with deep regret that the family of Ken Moen announces his sudden passing on June 9, 2007 at the age of 71 years. Ken was born in Unity, SK in 1935; part of a large Norwegian family with 10 siblings, 5 of which were born in Norway prior to the family immigrating to Canada. While still quite young, Ken's family moved to the Prince area north of North Battleford. While there, the family lost their mother and the older sisters took over many of the parental duties. The family then moved to the Robinhood area when Ken was 11 years old. While moving, Ken helped his older brother, Edgar, by herding the cattle behind the rack. The rack was filled with furniture and Edgar was driving the horses. It was a long journey with horses so they spent one night camping out, using hay for bed. Ken's days on the farm involved lots of hard work, but also many good times with family and local area friends. He spent numerous hours on the back of a horse, usually singing a Hank Williams tune. From time to time, he would ride the 10 miles to Glaslyn on a Saturday evening with his friends to enjoy a picture show. Ken and his friends rode pretty much any animal on the farm that could support their weight. While riding a steer, which he had been warned not to do, Ken broke his collarbone, so he told his dad he was skiing down a hill and ran into a tree. Anyone who knew Ken was well aware of his wilder, adventurous side. This side got him into some crazy situations for example, wrestling bears at the Glaslyn Fair with two buddies, one of which sustained a few injuries and could not attend the party that night. Ken attended school at Scentgrass, Robinhood and Woodridge before leaving to help on the farm at age 15. He worked with different threshing crews in the fall. Then he moved onto working on the railroad in Cranbrook, BC; a milkman in Drayton Valley, AB; driving a semi hauling oil and asphalt out of Lloydminster, AB; then to Saskatoon where he worked for McKee's moving and storage. The work days there were long and hard, moving everything from buildings to the statue of Christ down from the top of St. Paul's Hospital to its current position in the front hospital grounds. In the spring of 1963, he met Fern and in November of that year they were wed. They lived in Saskatoon and in the spring of 1964, Ken changed work, going back to truck driving, due to back problems. He started delivering concrete for Redi-Mix, but his love of the farm prompted him to purchase a half section of land in the Medstead area. In the fall of 1977, he quit Redi-Mix and moved to the farm. In the spring of 1978, as well as farming, he was back hauling concrete for North American in North Battleford. He continued hauling concrete till 2000 at which time his health started to restrict him from work. Ken never asked for much out of life. Material things were never part of his agenda. Family, friends and a sing-song or card game were his favorite way to fill an evening. He had certain rules in life, which one was never to stray from and his passion was always his family and the farm. Ken will be remembered and sadly missed by his loving wife of 43 years, Fern Moen of Medstead, SK; his daughter Christine (Brian) Wilson of North Battleford, SK and their children Brandon and Carter; his son Dennis (Cheryl) Moen of Pike Lake, SK and their children Janine and Logan; his sister Ruth Durand of Medstead, SK; his sister in-law Vi Moen of Surrey, BC; his brother in-law Tom Cotton of Kelowna, BC; as well as Fern's side of the family; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his grandson Avery Wilson; his parents Andrew & Ingeborg Moen; his brothers Arnie, Ole, Edgar, William and Glenn; his sisters Annie, Hilda, Gertrude and Emma (Hugh) Strain; his brother in-law Gordon Durand. The funeral service was held on Saturday, June 16th, 2007 at 2 p.m. from the Robinhood Hall with Pastor Richard Prankev as the officiant. The soloists were Helmay and Arnold Loewen, Edie Gaudette and Yvonne and Terry Kildaw. Honorary pall bearers were all relatives and friends who shared in Ken's life and the active pall bearers were Dale Larson, Murray Short, Colin Robb, Eric Olson, Dean Findlay and Matthew Hawk. In lieu of flowers, memorials donations may be made to the Medstead Bethel Lutheran Church or a charity of the donor's choice. Ken was laid to rest in the Robinhood Municipal Cemetery.