Moen, Ruby Lou (Grunenwald)

MONTFORT – Ruby Lou (Grunenwald) Moen, a woman of remarkable spirit, love, independence, and faith, passed away peacefully on March 24, 2026, at the age of 95. She was surrounded by loving family and her faithful companion, Pepper The Cat, at The Legacy at Noel Manor in Verona, WI. She faced her final weeks with the same good fight she applied to all of life’s challenges.

Born on October 17, 1930, in Iowa County, Ruby was the second of four children born to Benjamin and Jacqueline Mae (Garvey) Grunenwald. Raised on the family dairy farm in rural Livingston, Ruby graduated from Livingston High School in 1948. When she was 16, she began working at the local general store and café, where she learned to cook. She loved the independence so much she pledged to work until she was 80. And she did, retiring on her 80th birthday after more than 25 years working at Lands’ End in Dodgeville. Earlier, Ruby was employed for 28 years at Eastman Cartwright Lumber Company in Montfort. 

As a young woman at a trap shoot in Montfort, her life changed forever when her skillful shooting (and shapely legs) caught the eye of fellow competitor Wilford Oscar (W.O.) “Eric” Moen. Encouraged by her boss to take a chance on the handsome, young sharpshooter, Ruby shared her ring size on their very first date. The couple was married on March 7, 1955, at The Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Together, they built and lived in a little yellow house in Montfort. They purchased the 180-acre Moen family farm in the Driftless Area west of Montfort, where they raised beef cattle, hogs, sheep, crops, and bluebirds. They built a new home on the farm and moved there with their two young daughters in 1970, enjoying many wonderful years together as a family, including with June Farrah the cat. The Moen farm was honored by Wisconsin’s Century Farm Awards Program at the Wisconsin State Fair in 1993, celebrating more than 100 years of continuous family ownership.

Ruby’s kitchen was the heart of her home. She expressed her love for family and all who visited with her delicious, home-made meals. She was an amazing cook with many specialties and favorites, perhaps best known for her gorgeous and tasty pies. She was generous with her love and hospitality, and no one ever left her table hungry.

Her life was enriched by family, steadfast work, a fondness for nature, love of her pets, and all the people she dearly loved. People were drawn to Ruby’s warmth, smile, and the sparkle in her eyes. Oh, how she could tell a great story, often with more regard for entertainment than accuracy. She took great pride in her girls’ education, extracurricular activities, families, and careers. Although she was content and preferred to be at home, Ruby accompanied her family members on some memorable trips – including Canada, Badlands National Park, Washington D.C., New York City and Vermont, 1999 Rose Bowl, Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains, Mackinac Island, Door County, Disney World, and Arizona.

A woman of strong faith, Ruby was an active member of the Montfort United Methodist Church throughout her life, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, and participating with her many friends in U.M. Women. Together, they coordinated countless funeral luncheons with grace and compassion for more than 40 years.

After her husband of 43 years passed away on June 5, 1998, Ruby continued living on the farm with her special pets George, Sadie, Miss Kitty, and Pepper The Cat. She reluctantly moved to an assisted living apartment in Verona to be closer to her daughters in 2023. 

Ruby is survived by her “One and Only” grandson Erik Buinevicius of Austin, TX; daughters Janice Moen (husband Rimas Buinevicius) of Madison, and Pamela Moen-Thieding (husband Tom Thieding) of Verona; and Pepper The Cat. She is also survived by sister-in-law Donna Grunenwald, many favorite nieces and nephews, and her community of special neighbors and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents and grandparents; mother-in-law Gladys (Chandler) Moen; brother William “Billy” Grunenwald, sisters Betty Pluemer, and Mary Ann Gray; brothers-in-law Lloyd “Bud” Moen, Sr., Harlan Moen, and Robert Gray; sisters-in-law Sophie Moen and Hazel Moen; as well as special aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.

Ruby’s family expresses heart-felt gratitude to Dr. Aaron Dunn and his staff for many years of extraordinary care. Special thanks also to the dedicated and compassionate team members at Noel Manor and The Legacy at Noel Manor who helped Ruby during the last three years, and everyone from Agrace Hospice Care for providing exceptional support during her final months.

Memorial gifts in loving memory of Ruby will be given to local organizations that were important to her.

A funeral service will be held at 12 noon on Saturday March 28, 2026, at the Montfort United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Castle Rock Lutheran Church Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday, at church. The Soman-Larson Funeral Home of Montfort is assisting the family.