JOHN MOON

JOHN LEROY MOON John Leroy Moon of Montevideo died on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at Fairview Southdale hospital in Edina at the age of 82. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 27, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Montevideo with Rev. Jeff Fitzkappes officiating. Burial was in Sunset Cemetery. Visitation with the family was from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo. Visitation continued one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. John Leroy Moon Jr. was born on June 26, 1942, in Tracy to John and Pearl (Haugen) Moon. He was baptized and confirmed in his faith at Tracy Lutheran Church. John spent his early years in Amiret before moving to Tracy where he attended school and graduated from Tracy High School. Following his high school graduation, John pursued higher education at University of Minnesota, graduating with double majors in Agricultural Business and Economics. His career began with Farmhand Equipment and later transitioned to International Harvester, where his expertise in agriculture and business flourished. On September 10, 1966, John married Jerri Knuth and together they built a family, raising four children: Jacque, Andy, Jenece, and JT. In 1969, the family relocated to Montevideo where John continued his work with International Harvester. This role eventually evolved into a partnership at Moon-Nordaune International. In the late 70s, John built his own implement dealership and established Moon International. Beyond his business ventures, John also farmed and raised cattle, further demonstrating his passion for the agricultural community. In 1990, John relocated to Colorado, where he met Patty Hahn. They formed a loving and supportive relationship. After three years of adventures in Colorado, the couple returned to Montevideo to live and work on the family farm and raise cattle. Marketing their beef through direct sales and catering was a passion they both shared. John was an avid cattleman and skilled horseman. The family enjoyed showing horses, going on weekend trail rides, and attending high school rodeos, sharing their love for animals and rural life. John served as the President of the Minnesota Beef Council for many years, advocating for the interests of farmers and ranchers while promoting the beef industry. His leadership and contributions left a lasting impact on the agricultural community. Never fully retiring, John also found immense joy in cutting and baling hay, a task he approached with dedication and pride. Although he sold his cattle recently, he continued to farm and haul hay until the last month of his life. In his leisure time, John enjoyed hunting and fishing with family and friends, creating cherished memories of the great outdoors. John was a caring family man, a hardworking farmer and rancher, and a passionate advocate for agriculture. His legacy of dedication, love for the land, and deep appreciation for family and animals will be fondly remembered by all who knew him. John is survived by his significant other, Patty Hahn; children: Jacque (Terry) Peters, Montevideo, Andy (Lisa) Moon, Creighton, S.D., Jenece (Jesse) Diedrich, Prior Lake, JT (Jami) Moon, Creighton; grandchildren: Mattison (Glenn) Dirksen, Phillip (Nicole) Peters, Macy (Tucker) Mills, Elle Moon, Abby (Hayden) Pelton, Quinn Moon, Joseph Diedrich, Charlie Diedrich, Lucy Moon, Emmy Moon, Johnny Moon, Ole Moon; great-grandchildren: Stella Dirksen, Mo Dirksen, Stevie Dirksen, Georgia Peters, Beau Peters, Josie Mills, Sylvia Mills, Ada Pelton; sister: Christine (Denny) Dostal, Berthoud, Colorado; Patty's children: Jeff (Lori), California, Deborah (Robert), Omaha, Neb., and grandchildren Joshua, Jordan, and Lilyanne, as well as extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Pearl Moon.