Adrienne P Moen, age 91, of Roseville, Minnesota, died on December 10, 2011 at the St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Adrienne was born in Knapp, Wisconsin on July 24, 1920. Her very earliest memories were happy ones of her grandfather William Milliron and his elderly friends, some of whom were veterans of the Civil War. They spent time at the Knapp House, where she would be allowed small cups of coffee and an occasional puff of a Turkish water pipe.As a child she grew up in the northern Wisconsin village of Lemington.When looking at old photographs, the area appeared to be not far removed from the frontier days and was so remote that when her sister Nancy broke her arm, she had to endure an hours-long train ride to Ladysmith to visit a doctor.
Adrienne grew up during the Depression but had the good fortune to be the daughter of the owner of a profitable gas station in Hammond.As a 14-year-old she spent time at the station pumping gasoline, but preferred to lounge in the basement of the building surrounded by books and magazines. She received her nickname “Ace” after stating she would grow up to be a pilot and see the world.Instead she married a sailor, a fellow at her high school who had been the best basketball player in St. Croix County.Because of Ray’s service in the United States Coast Guard they traveled far and wide, visited Germany and Italy, they lived by Lake Superior and near two oceans, and in homes as far apart as Alaska, Minnesota and Florida. Even though she looked back fondly on those travels, she was actually happiest in her chair reading book after book after book. Aside from the most recent six months, and the time Ray was sick, she was blessed with a life that was remarkably free of troubles.
Adrienne is preceded in death by: husband Raymond, and parents Louis and Clara Bruckner.
She is survived by: sister Nancy Benson of Redmond, WA; Son Jordan and wife Linda of Holyoke, MA; and son William and wife Sandra of Maplewood, MN; Grandchildren Jenny (Joseph) Bothell, Molly Wildblood and Eric (Denise) Moen of Delaware, Rick Moen of Duluth, MN, and Robert Moen of Maplewood, MN; Nephew Max (Frances) Benson of Redmond, WA, Nephew Mike Moen of New Richmond, WI; nieces Julie Boumeester of Hammond, WI, Mary Kay Foster of Roberts, WI and Dorothy Resseqieu of Mill Valley, CA, and many great grandchildren.
A funeral celebration of Adrienne's life will be held at 11am on Thursday, December 15, 2011 at the O'Connell Family Funeral Home in Baldwin.Kathy Helgeson will be officiating.Visitation will be held for one hour prior to services.Burial will follow the services at the Hammond Cemetery.Services are in care of the O'Connell Family Funeral Home - Baldwin Chapel715.684.3434www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com