Russell LaVerne Moen, age 82, formerly of Blanchardville passed away April 19, 2022 at the New Glarus Home. He was born May 29th, 1939 in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, son of Irving and Esther Moen.
Russell, who was so proud of his Norwegian farmer heritage, grew up on the family farm near Blanchardville. He graduated from Blanchardville High School in 1957 and married Rita Rae Ryan on August 22, 1959. Russell and Rita resided outside of Blanchardville with their three sons and daughter, until they bought a small farm near Footville, WI in 1969 where they lived for four years before moving to their farm outside of Blanchardville where they had resided since.
Growing up, Russell had various jobs on the farm and off, and after graduating from high school he went to work for General Motors in Janesville, along with working part time on Doug and Irene Baker’s farm. He worked at GM for 30 years, retiring at age 48, and then farmed full time on his own farm, and for Ron Strommen Livestock up until a few years ago. Every spring he so looked forward to getting back into the fields and enjoyed every aspect of farming – most of all he loved bull-sh**ting with other farmers, and actually, pretty much everyone he met. The grandkids, nieces and nephews were all amazed by his stories when they were little, but as they got older, realized he was giving them a line of bull too and they all learned to give it right back to him. He was a big fan of International Harvester tractors and was fond of saying “If it’s not red it should stay in the shed.”
Russell spent 39 years on the Blanchard Township Board as chairman and board member, and was a member of St. Isidore Church. Russell and Rita traveled all over the US and internationally. They especially enjoyed taking their grandchildren on many trips. He had always wanted to see Norway and a few years ago he finally got to tour that beautiful country with two of his kids.
Russell is survived by three sons and one daughter: Jeff (Carolyn Adamitz) Moen of Blanchardville, Vicki (Kevin Flanagan) Ruchti of Sun Prairie, Steve (April George) Moen of Eldridge Iowa, and Bruce Moen of Dallas Texas; two sisters: Janet (Jim) McNeil of Monticello and Karen (Dave) Judd of Dodgeville; three brothers-in-law: Larry (Beverly) Ryan, Tim (Barb) Ryan and Mike Ryan, all of Blanchardville; five grandchildren: Kelsi (Mitch Austin) Ruchti and Travis (Emily Schwarzenberger) Ruchti, Amber (Sara Britt) Wirtz, Sierra (Mitch) Pittz and Cheyenne George; and eight great-grandchildren: Carson and Catelyn Austin, Kali Wirtz and Kennedy Britt, Beckham and Ensley Pittz, Kinsley and Lila George. Also, nieces and nephews: Joni, Julie, Jeanne, Jerilyn, Joe, Kara, Emily, Jennifer, Lori, Teresa, Kathy, Dan, Paula, Brenda, Sara, Lindsey and their families.
Russell was preceded in death by his wife, Rita in 2018, his parents and stepmother, Beulah, his father and mother-in-law Kenneth and Eva Ryan, his brother Curt and Curt’s wife, Ruth and their son Mark, and Russell’s dog, Alvin.
He was always ready to lend a hand to anyone who needed it, and this help was returned many times over from family, friends, and neighbors, especially in Mom and Dad’s later years. We would like to thank Jim & Janet, Karen & Dave, Larry & Bev, Tim & Barb, Mike, and their families for all their support and care over the years. Also, friends and neighbors, Jake and Alex, Robert & Virginia, Paula, Gilby, Emily & family and so many more in the Blanchardville and surrounding area, that it would take another page to name everyone – you are all so appreciated. And we would like to thank Rene for caring for Mom and Dad when still living at home, and the staff at the New Glarus Home for Dad’s care during such a difficult time with all the Covid restrictions – thank you all!
A visitation for Russell will be held on Sunday, April 24, 2022 from 3:00 until 6:00 pm at Blanchard Hall, 204 South Main Street in Blanchardville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, April 25, 2022 at 11:00 am at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Saint Isidore Parish at 304 Meadow St in Blanchardville. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Blanchardville. A funeral lunch will follow at Blanchard Hall, on Main Street in Blanchardville. Saether Funeral Service of Blanchardville is assisting the family. Online memories and condolences can be shared with the family at SaetherFuneralService.com
