Gordon Moen

To view a recording of the service for Gordy, please use the link: https://youtu.be/hTPjW8DAdL0 

Gordon “Gordy” Otto Moen

June 20, 1939 – December 26, 2020

Gordon Moen, 81, of Grand Forks, passed away in his sleep on December 26 at Parkwood Senior Living. He had suffered from dementia and physical ailments for the past few years and is now at peace.

Gordy was born in Fordville, ND, to Otto and Vivian Moen, but grew up in the Inkster-Gilby area and graduated from Inkster High School in 1957. He farmed with his father and his uncles during his early years, but his passion was playing sports, particularly baseball and basketball, which he participated in throughout his high school years. Gordy married his high school sweetheart, Helen Stiles, in 1959.

At an early age, Gordy and Helen started a family and would eventually raise four children. They moved to Racine, WI in the early 1960s, where Gordy was employed at Moxness Manufacturing, assembling radiators. He missed North Dakota, however and returned to Inkster after two years. He was then trained in law enforcement and began employment with the Grand Forks Police Department, moving the family to Grand Forks in 1965. To earn extra income, Gordy began working part time at Midwest Motor Express in the mid-1970s and would eventually quit police work in favor of full-time truck driving in order to work a more consistent schedule. He was a proud member of the Teamsters Union and worked at various trucking outfits based in Grand Forks until his retirement. Gordy also worked as a security guard at the former Rehab Hospital where he enjoyed pestering the nurses and he continued to help on the family farm during planting and harvesting seasons until his father’s health issues in the early 1980s.

In retirement, Gordy enjoyed being with family. Although he and Helen divorced in 1985, they continued to travel together to see children and grandchildren. One of the things he was most proud of was that all of his grandchildren received post high school diplomas with several earning advanced degrees. “Not a dummy in the bunch” he often claimed. Gordy also enjoyed watching the grandchildren play sports, whether it be hockey, football, baseball, basketball, volleyball, dance, or track.

Gordy’s interest in sports continued throughout his life. He loved to go on fishing trips with friends and he played softball for the Bun Lounge well into his 40s. Later in life, he began collecting sports memorabilia and built an impressive collection of cards, buttons, balls, magazines, game programs, and a variety of trinkets. Gordy often attended University of North Dakota sporting events and was an avid Vikings and Twins fan. During his final years, he enjoyed playing cards with his friends at Denny’s Tavern. Gordy could befriend most anyone he met and was a pleasure to be around, often sharing a joke or two. He will be missed by many.

Gordy was preceded in death by his parents Vivian and Otto, brother Robert, brother James (Butch), and granddaughter Amanda Johanneck. He is survived by his four children –  Lee (Michelle) Moen of Ballwin, MO; Marlin Moen of Inkster, ND; Jodi (Dan) Johanneck of Crookston, MN; and Chad (Mary) Moen from Fargo, ND; 13 grandchildren - Alec (Frannie) Moen, Brett (Amy) Moen, Andrew Moen, Sean Moen, Michael Moen, Matt (Lani) Moen, Jake (Holly) Moen, Luke Moen (Madison Karaba), Staci (Michael) Collison, Nathan Johanneck, Leah Johanneck, Ben Moen, and Abby Moen; ten great-grandchildren; sister Sandra (Dave) Hawthorne; and Helen Moen..

Visitation will be held at Amundson Funeral Home on Sunday January 3 from 1:00 - 2:30 followed by a private family service at 3:00. 

Memorials are preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley.