Donald Moen

Donald George Moen was born in Neillsville, Wisconsin on November 8, 1931 and passed away quietly on July 24, 2016 after a short stay in Sagecrest Nursing and Rehabilittion Center in Las Cruces, NM. Donald was the son of George R. Moen and Gertrude Harding both deceased, of Wisconsin. Donald was married to Mary Lou Gantz Moen (deceased) on April 14, 1951.
Don proudly promoted God and Country for his sons, James Douglas, John Thomas and Haldane. He served 4 years aboard the USS Gatling as a sailor. When he returned from the Navy, he and Mary moved their family to Las Cruces, NM. He attended NMSU and graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. Don's professional career began with NASA in Las Cruces in 1963 where he earned outstanding awards for superior work. Don's profession took his family to the NASA Houston Space Center where he also earned outstanding awards for his engineering work. He was proud to be a part of the team that got America to the moon. He was very proud to be the recipient of an American Flag that had been to the moon and back. He retired after 25 years' of loyal service and moved back to Las Cruces.
Don was preceded in death by his wife, Mary. They were married for 53 years. Their children are James Douglas Moen and Gayla Gillespie of Lubbock TX, John Thomas Moen and Roseann of Las Cruces, NM, Haldane Moen and Deda of Granbury, TX. The grandchildren are Christopher Moen (deceased), Shannon and Joey Holton, Allison and Bryan Simpson, Tom and Sara Moen, Amy and Ruben Garcia, Donny and Pam Moen, Jeremy and Tia Moen, Bobby Moen and 18 great grandchildren. Other family include Dale and Joe Ann Gantz, Dot and Jim Dougherty, Sid and Reba Gantz, Carey and Bob Murphey, all of Las Cruces and Robin and David (deceased) Gantz of Atlanta, GA.
Before and after Don's well-earned retirement, he was very active in The First Methodist Church in Alvin TX and St. Paul's Methodist Church in Las Cruces, NM; Boy Scouts of America, Sunrise Lion's Club receiving the Melvin Jones Award, and Rotary International receiving the Paul Harris Fellow award. He was and 32ND Degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Shriner and served both with dedication and love.
Visitation will be at Baca's Funeral Chapels, 300 E. Boutz Road on Thursday afternoon, July 28, 2016 from 5 PM to 7 PM. Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, July 29, 2016 at 9 AM in St Paul's United Methodist Church, 225 W. Griggs, Las Cruces, NM followed by internment at 10 AM at the Masonic Cemetery, 760 S. Compress Rd, Las Cruces, NM.
Memorial donations may be sent to Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 E. Montana Avenue, Las Cruces, NM 88005. (575-523-4700)
Entrusted to Baca's Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces, 527-2222 Your exclusive providers for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com