Elaine Moen

Elaine Melby-Moen died August 29, 2018 at Solvay Hospice House in Duluth. She was born May 11, 1926 to Arthur W. and Dorothy (Wilber) Mickelson in Wausau, Wisconsin. Growing up she also lived in Kentucky, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Attending 5 high schools in four years she was 1942 Homecoming Queen in Two Harbors and graduated from Roosevelt High School in Seattle in 1944. During World War ii Elaine worked at Boeing Aircraft in Seattle as a “Rosie the Riveter” with the building of B17’s. Moving to Miami, she was employed at Miami Shipbuilding and met and married Gordon S. Melby Sr.  on December 23, 1944. After the war they moved to Cloquet and later, Hoyt Lakes and raised a family.

While in Cloquet in the 1950’s, Elaine worked in the dental office of Dr. John T. McGregor, and while living in Hoyt Lakes she was Assistant Librarian at Hoyt Lakes Library. After raising her family, Elaine returned to college and graduated cum laude from UMD in 1969 with a BA in History. She was also a Teaching Assistant in the graduate school at UMD. Elaine and Gordon later moved to Hibbing where she was a care-giver for Gordon through his final illness. Elaine married Morris Moen December 9, 2000 and moved to Two Harbors.

Professional activities and appointments include, journalist for the East Range Journal and Biwabik Times (by-line Human History), Research Librarian and Board of Directors-St. Louis County Historical Society, Past President-Hibbing Historical Society, Secretary-League of Women Voters, Hibbing, Minnesota Bicentennial Commission, Board of Directors (early)- Duluth Depot, Minnesota Juvenile Code Revision Task Force, Lifetime member-University of Minnesota Alumni Association, commendation in “The World Who’s Who of Women” 4th Ed.

Elaine’s lifetime interests included reading, politics, music, cooking, service to the Lutheran Church by singing in choir and teaching Sunday School, and world travel.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and Art Mickelson, brother, Bill Mickelson; first husband and father of her children, Gordon S. Melby Sr.; son, Gordon S. Melby Jr.; and adoptive mother, Gert Wilber.

She is survived by her husband, Morris Moen; a daughter, Merrie L. Healy (Jim Brinegar); daughter-in-law, Becky Melby; sister-in-law, Marjorie Russell (Jim); step-children, Denny Moen (Sharon), Don Moen, Laura), Wendy Archambault (Scott), Diane Clayton (Brent); grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

Donations may be made in Elaine’s memory to AAUW, the Two Harbors Public Library or donor’s choice.

A special thank you to the staff at Lake View Hospital, Two Harbors, and Solvay Hospice in Duluth for providing Elaine and her family with excellent care and support in the last days of her life.

While Elaine had many noted accomplishments in her life, her priority was always her family. Her great love and caring extended beyond her immediate family to nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. For the last 18 years of her life with Morrie she enjoyed the love and joy of an extended family. Her wonderful family dinners and holiday gatherings will long be remembered, not only for wonderful food, but for their welcoming warmth and love.

Visitation will be from 10 AM until the 11 AM service on Saturday, September 1, 2018, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Two Harbors. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Virginia, MN.