Larry Moses

Larry Gene Moses, known widely as “Moe”, was born January 11, 1937 in Big Lake Township and died February 22, 2025 in Brainerd. The son of Alva and Bertha Moses, Moe grew up in Big Lake working on the family farm along with his siblings Marion, Marjorie, Joyce, Alva Duane (Buzz) and Lill. He married Jeanne Hanson in 1956 and they had four children, Jerry, Tim, Dave and Curt before divorcing. He started working at Hoffman Engineering in Anoka in 1958 and he would work at Hoffman for over 34 years while also continuing to farm for most of that time. Larry married Ruth Lanser in 1969 and son James was born in 1972. Larry and Ruthy purchased property by Lower Mission Lake in Merrifield in the mid-70s and after realizing there were few options for hardware and plumbing in the area, they opened “Moe’s Hardware” on Hwy 3 in 1983, where the slogan was “Moe for your $$”. Moe’s grew to be valuable resource for locals and cabin owners for over 20 years and Moe and Ruthy helped countless people keep their property running. Ruthy passed away from cancer in 2001 and Moe’s Hardware was sold in 2002. Larry was married to Beverly Sears of Brainerd for twenty years until her passing in 2022.

Summarizing 88 years of accomplishment is difficult. In addition to his exemplary work at Hoffman, as a farmer, and at Moe’s Hardware, Larry was a founding member of the Big Lake Sno-Cruisers snowmobile club, founded the Sherburne County Snowmobile Trail Association, founded and remained active in the Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trail Association and was a long-time active member of the Merrifield Marathons and Brainerd Snodeos snowmobile clubs, Cuyuna Iron Range Riders and Central Lakes ATV clubs, and the Brainerd Eagles. He loved snowmobiling and ATVing. He was the trail boss of the “Mile Masters” snowmobile group who put on thousands of miles on sled over the years. He was recognized by Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association as an “Unsung Hero” to snowmobiling in 2010. Moe was a constant presence at Crow Wing County meetings involving parks and trails, advocating for the development of sensible trails for snowmobiles and ATVs and his thoughtful input will be missed. Larry Moses, “Moe”, was a wonderful man and a good father, husband and friend. Unafraid to share his opinion but always honest, kind, jovial and very social. He will be missed tremendously by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. 

Preceded in death by parents, siblings, wife Ruthy, wife Bev and son Tim. Survived by sons Jerry, Dave (Jenny), Curt (Sarah) and James (Rawni) and families.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 12, from 1pm to 4pm at the Merrifield Marathons clubhouse 21135 Co Rd 3, Merrifield, MN 56465. Bring a story to share with friends. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a local snowmobile or ATV club or the Crow Wing County Snowmobile Trail Association.