Cleo Moeller

Cleo P. Moeller, age 96, Rosholt, passed away Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at the Tekakwitha Living Center in Sisseton.

Funeral Services will be Sunday, July 2, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Lutheran Church in rural Rosholt with Steven Schiltz officiating.  Music will be provided by organist Lana Sand and Cleo's granddaughters, Bethany Fletcher, Maddie Miller, and Kelly Moeller.

Burial will be in the St. Joseph Cemetery, rural Rosholt. Urn bearers will be Cleo's grandsons, Mark Moeller, Abel Tejada, Tyler Tobeck, Claudio Tejada, Jacob Moeller, Thor Morrison, Theo Watkin, and Lars Morrison.

Visitation will be Sunday one hour prior to the service at the church.

Cleo Pearl (Nigg) Moeller was born March 18, 1927, at home in Easter Township, rural Peever, SD.  She joined the growing Nigg family growing up in the depression era with her six brothers and sister.  Life was simple, and full of love. She shared many memories over the years of cooking and cleaning with her mom and sister.  In her high school years, she attended West Central School of Ag in Morris, MN.  There she met Alan, who became her love and life partner for the next 70+ years.

Cleo graduated WCSA in 1944, then went on to attend North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, ND, for secretarial studies. During her last semester she was also making plans to marry Alan. Her father wanted the family to have a few last months together, and she agreed instead of finishing.

June 29, 1947, Cleo married Alan Moeller at St. Joseph Lutheran Church, rural Rosholt, SD. They took one last adventure at the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis, MN, for a year before settling into a life on the family farm.  During this time Cleo was mostly a homemaker, but also able to take one class per semester.  Their love for Bible study grew together and lasted their whole lives.

Cleo and Alan had six boys and one daughter. Cleo was active in local church women's groups, Sunday school, Gideons, and local school activities over the years.  She was most happy at home doing projects - her favorite "job" sewing for herself and her children.

Cleo and Alan retired in their 60's, but had time for one last adventure - moving to Piedmont, SD, for most of their 80's. They lived near daughter Nancy and son Ted and their families.  After a stroke at age 70, Cleo was a little slower and needed a bit more help, but still sharp as a tack if you tried to get by with anything.  She passed on a healthy dose of how to "do things right," to all her children and grandchildren - even if it didn't always "stick."

Her health struggled as she approached her 90's, when she and Alan moved back to northeast South Dakota.  She spent her final years at the Tekakwitha Care Center in Sisseton, SD, under the excellent care of the staff.  She passed away peacefully in her room on Wednesday, May 24th, 2023.

Cleo was preceded in death by her parents, Louis & Gladys Nigg; husband Alan; two sons, Mark Loren and Baby Moeller; brothers, OrLynn, Gordon, Don, Dale, and Lloyd Nigg; and sister, Kathryn (Nigg) Jensen.

She is survived by her children: Layne & Betsy Moeller, Ted & Jan Moeller, Jonathan & Chary Moeller, James & Wendy Moeller, Dirk & Nancy Morrison; grandchildren: Holli & David Watkin, Bethany & Chris Fletcher, Maddie & Jake Miller, Mark & Megan Moeller, Abel Tejada, Tyler Tobeck, Claudio Tejada, Jacob Moeller, Kelly Moeller, Thor Morrison, Anika Morrison, Liv Morrison & Lars Morrison; great-grandchildren: Brianna & Bailey Wood, Abigail Montiel, Theo Montiel, Everett Moeller, Bennett Moeller & Aubrey Moeller; great-great grandchildren Sofia Briones, Noah Wood & Logan Wood; and brother William.