MOORE, Myron Jess 1920-2009

MOORE, POPENHAGEN, KNUDSON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 10/16/2009 at 13:04:53

RICEVILLE, IOWA - Myron Jess "M.J." Moore, 89, of Riceville, passed away on Sunday (Oct. 11, 2009) at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Knoxville, Iowa. M.J. was an anatomical donor to Mayo Clinic.

A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, at the Riceville United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Pamela Kranzler officiating.

Friends may call one hour before services on Wednesday at the church.

Lindstrom Funeral Home in Riceville is in charge of the arrangements.

M.J. was born May 20, 1920 in Fayette County to Myron and Ella (Popenhagen) Moore. He went to school in Fayette, Iowa and graduated from Upper Iowa University in 1949 with a B.A. degree. He also took many classes at Bemidji State College in Minnesota.

M.J. went into the U.S. Air Force in 1943 and served in the China, Burma and India areas as a gunner and then as a radio operator. After returning from World War II, he married Norma Knudson on June 30, 1946. They had two children, Kristeen and James.

M.J. attended college and began teaching in Maynard, Iowa. In 1954, M.J., Norma and the children moved to Riceville, Iowa, where he taught and coached until he retired in 1983. M.J. truly enjoyed his teaching and coaching - he liked his students and enjoyed being around young people.

After retirement, he and Norma had a chance to do some traveling. They spent time in Oregon and Texas, and ended up going to Arizona for the winter and to Mille Lacs Lake, Minn., in the summer. M.J. was an avid hunter, fisherman and golfer.

He was a long-time member of the Methodist Church, and a member of the American Legion for over 60 years.

M.J. is survived by his wife of 63 years, Norma; his daughter, Kristeen (Roger) Gray of Beaverton, Ore.; his son, James (Linda) Moore, of Spencer; two grandchildren, and two great-grandsons. He also leaves one sister, Ella Marie (Stanley) Paul of Portage, Wis.; nieces, nephews and many friends.

He was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters.

Lindstrom Funeral Home, 641-985-2242.

[Published in the Globe Gazette online, Friday, 10/16/2009]