Lynn Ellis Moe, 85, of rural Keene, North Dakota, passed away on Friday, May 2, 2025, at McKenzie County Hospital in Watford City, North Dakota, after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer.

Lynn was born on June 28, 1939, in Hawkeye Township, McKenzie County, to Oscar and Evelyn (Mathistad) Moe. He was the second youngest of five children. Lynn was a confirmed member of Keene First Lutheran Church. He left school after the eighth grade and began working for farmers and ranchers in the area. In October 1958, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was stationed at Camp H.M. Smith in Hawaii, which served as the headquarters of the Fleet Marine Force of the Pacific. While there, Lynn had the honor of being selected as a member of the Honor Guard. He was honorably discharged in 1961 and returned to North Dakota, where he began his career in the oilfield. Lynn worked for numerous drilling companies over the years, including Arapahoe, Nabors Brinkerhoff, Harold & Harold, Calvert, Haestad, and Hoover Drilling, which took him to places such as California and Alaska. He also worked during the summers for Foley & Holland, helping build the Fontenelle Dam near LaBarge, Wyoming. In 1974, Lynn was hired by Texaco Inc. in the Blue Buttes Field. Texaco later sold to Amerada Hess in 1995. Lynn initially contracted with Hess and was then hired on as a full-time employee the following year, eventually retiring in March 2013.

Retirement years didn’t mean the rocking chair. He became an active member of the American Legion Club in Watford City; he also helped the Watford City Veterans Committee raise thousands of dollars in funds for their new Veteran’s Memorial Park. Lynn had a deep love for gardening and took pride in having the greenest lawn in the area. He was dedicated to the upkeep of the farmstead’s tree grove, spending countless hours trimming branches and keeping the weeds at bay. He recently accepted a “Windbreak Manager” award from the soil conservation district for his efforts. In his earlier years his interests included rodeo; he was an active member of the Four Bears Saddle Club plus the Long X Wagon Train and helped his close friend Willard Kieson with Blue Buttes Fun Days. Above all, he loved visiting with friends and neighbors, and if you saw a white Chevy pickup pulling into your yard, you knew it was time to kick back for a cup of coffee or a cold one. Lynn enjoyed his daily four o’clock ritual of “giving the dog a ride.” This served as the perfect excuse to make his rounds and check in on things—and people—in the area. It also allowed him to keep up with pressing township business; he was an active member of Hawkeye Valley for 40+ years.

Lynn was once married to Orlea (Wolding) Roggenbuck. From this union came three children.

In May 1977, Lynn married Maureen Johnson. They made their home on the family farm alongside Lynn’s parents, helping with farming operations while both worked for Texaco Inc.

Lynn is survived by his wife, Maureen, just shy of 48 years of marriage; their children: Brandy Moe (Jace Driver) of Denver, Colorado; Cody Moe of Keene, ND; and Chelsey Moe of Livingston, Montana; the children from his first marriage, Jodie (Dan) Rennich of Bismarck, ND, Patti Moe of New Town, ND and Ryan Moe of Williston, ND.

He is also survived by his grandchildren: Nevada (Alexis) Moe of Bismarck, ND; Dustin and Skyler Moe, both of Williston, ND; Shanell LaCroix and Durwin Dixon, both of New Town, ND; and two great-grandchildren: Acelyn Conklin, daughter of Shanell, and Aspen, son of Nevada and Alexis Moe. He is also survived by sisters-in-law Bev (Mark) Maki of rural Watford City and Rita (Mark) Wilhelmi of Stanley, ND, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Lynn was preceded in death by his parents; all of his siblings—Marcy Kaneshige, JoAnn Huber, Kenneth Moe, and Bruce Moe; his in-laws, Edwin and Della Johnson of rural Stanley, ND; and brothers-in-law Richard Johnson of Stanley, ND, and Wayne Johnson of Minot, ND.

He will be remembered for his tireless work ethic, neighborly spirit, and love for the land—a hardworking man whose quiet strength and deep roots left a lasting mark on his family, his friends, and the community he called home.

Memorial Contribution