Velma Moen, 89, died peacefully in her sleep on March 26, 2016, at Primrose Retirement Community in Austin, Minnesota.

Vel was born on Sept. 26, 1926, to Niels and Laura (Bork) Bro in Guthrie County, Iowa. She graduated from high school in 1944 and earned her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in 1950 at Iowa State Teacher’s College, Cedar Falls, Iowa. While in college, she returned home for a year to care for her mother and two younger brothers during her father’s final illness.

Upon graduation, Vel moved to Austin, Minnesota, where she met her future husband, Roger. She taught at Austin Junior High School and Austin Community College from 1949-1953. She left Austin to pursue an Master’s Degree in Physical Education which she received in 1954 from The University of Iowa. After completing her Master’s, she taught in Lake Forest, Illinois, for a year.

Vel moved back to Austin to marry Roger on July 24, 1955. Their sons, Jon and James, were born in Austin.

In 1965, Vel returned to teaching at Austin Community College as a part-time physical education teacher. When Title IX passed in 1972, Vel became a full-time instructor and coach. She coached softball and volleyball, but her great love was coaching the ACC women’s basketball team. After 23 years of teaching, coaching, and being Women’s Athletic Director at ACC, Vel retired in 1988. In recognition of her service, Vel was elected to the ACC Hall of Fame in 1997.

Vel spent her retirement years playing golf, traveling with Roger, and enjoying her family. She played hundreds of rounds of golf at the Austin Country Club and at other courses around the state. She also spent as much time as possible with her children and grandchildren.

Vel was a long-time member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church.

Vel was preceded in death by Roger, her husband of 43 years; her granddaughters, Laura Foster and Mary Riley Moen; her brothers, Art (Erma), Arnold (Elsie), Ingward (Lillian), Howard (Muriel), Edwin (Constance), Manville (Marjorie), and Mervin; and a sister, Sigrid Crovo (Edmond).

Vel is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Jon Moen (Barbara Lowe), Oxford, Mississippi, and James (Jane) Moen, Eden Prairie, Minnesota; by her grandchildren, Anna Kate Moen, Nashville, Tennessee, Eli and Bekah Moen, Oxford, Mississippi, John, Jeff, and Sarah Moen, Eden Prairie, Minnesota; by one great-granddaughter, Alexis Moen, Eden Prairie, Minnesota; by her sister, Leona Witte (Tom); by brothers, Frank (Ora Mae) and Ronnie (Mary); and a host of nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the dedicated caregivers at Primrose Retirement Community and at Mayo Hospice for their excellent care of Vel at the end of her illness.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 14, 2016, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin with the Rev. Liz Erickson officiating. Interment will be at OakwoodCemetery. Visitation will be at the church on Saturday for one hour before the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial to the American Cancer Society or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Clasen-Jordan Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.