Thief River Falls – Inez Anderson Mostue, Thief River Falls, passed away peacefully at the age of 100 on Friday, April 29, 2022, the date that would have been the 77th anniversary of her marriage to the great love of her life George Mostue. Her family is grateful for the excellent care and kindness she received in her later years at the Valley Home Assisted Living and at the Thief River Care Center in Thief River Falls, and for the love and companionship of her many friends.
Inez Mostue was born March 9, 1922, on the family farm near Holt, the only child of Guy and Albertina (Johnson) Anderson. She was baptized and confirmed at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Holt. Inez attended Pioneer Country School, Holt, and graduated from Crookston Agriculture College in 1939. In 1943, Inez graduated from Concordia College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Following school, Inez was employed at Larson Floral Shop in Thief River Falls. As a designer she graduated from the Bright School of Floral Design in Chicago, IL and Hixson School of Floral Design in Cleveland, OH.
She was united in marriage to George Mostue on April 29, 1945, in Moorhead, at Trinity Lutheran Church. The couple made their home in Thief River Falls and to this union two sons were born: Brian and Brooks.
For a few years they owned and operated Mostue Greenhouses, and later she and George owned and operated Mostue Floral Shop in Thief River Falls for 32 years. They made many lifetime friends working in both places. For 16 years after selling the flower shop, Inez loved working for Digi-Key.
Inez enjoyed working in the flower shop, reading, trap shooting and traveling. She and George traveled to the Scandinavian countries three times and Rome once. Inez was very interested in Scandinavian folklore, arts, crafts, and history. She also had a small business, called Maurtua, selling Scandinavian figures sculpted in clay.
She was named Woman of Honor by the Thief River Falls American Association of University Women in May, 1994.
Inez was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she taught school release time for many years and belonged to the Women’s Circles. Inez volunteered at the Pennington County Museum, and in 1998 her family was honored by the Pennington County Historical Society. Her family was her pride and joy.
Inez had the soul of an artist. Her floral shop windows and her dolls were locally famous; she crafted thousands over the years. Inez’ memory was also famous until the very end, remembering more things than her sons ever learned. She had an uncanny ability to attract people to her and hold them in close friendship over great distances and time. She was honest and forthright with people and steadfast in her faith. She knew where to find the best pie in the area.
Inez is survived by one son, Brooks (Patricia) Mostue of Lincoln, MA; five grandchildren: Anne Mostue (Lars Vaule) and great-grandsons, Magnus and Sverre Vaule of Lincoln MA, Margaret Mostue of Medford, MA, and Jane (Daniel McGeeney) Mostue of Louisville, KY, Alison Mostue (Nick Stevenson) of Medford, OR, and David (Katlin Mostue-Nesbit) and great-grandchildren, Xu Yang, Anni, and Kai of Medford, OR; daughter-in-law, Emily Mostue of Medford, OR; niece, Helen (Mostue) Rucker of St. Paul, OR; and nephew, Dan Mostue of St. Paul, MN. She enjoyed a special closeness with her childhood neighbors in Holt, the Davidson family.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, George in 1995; son, Brian in 2006; and parents, Guy and Albertina Anderson.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 6, 2022, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls with Reverend Eric Miller officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. the night prior with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls. Burial will follow the funeral services at Holt Cemetery, Holt.
Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com.
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