Maurice Henry Moberg

He was born in April, 1919, in Minneapolis, MN, in the middle of the last pandemic.

In 1940 while working at a Minneapolis gas station, Mo often noticed a pretty young woman waiting at

the bus stop across the street. He finally got up enough nerve to ask her her name—Hazel—and to

invite her to a baseball game. That first date eventually led to 67 years of marriage with Hazel, his

“femme fatale” (always his pet name for her) Those years also included the births of two children,

Maurie and Laraine.

During WW II, Mo served from 1943 to 1946 in the United States 13th Air Force, also known as the

Jungle Air Force, in the Asiatic Pacific Campaign, winning several medals before being discharged. Many

years later at age 100, he was honored to receive a huge, beautiful “Quilt of Valor” and an

accompanying certificate recognizing his wartime service and sacrifice to his country.

After the war Mo’s career began as chief inspector and foreman for McQuay Intl. in Minneapolis and

Mississippi. Then In the mid-50’s he and his family moved to Novato, CA and later to Santa Rosa where

he ultimately settled in as a service representative for E&M Electric. He retired in the early 1980s and

shortly thereafter he and Hazel moved to Cedar Grove in El Dorado County to be close to their daughter.

Mo loved gardening. In each of their homes, he and Hazel always had a large vegetable garden which

fed not only their family, but much of the neighborhood. Shortly after moving to Cedar Grove they also

planted an Iris garden which expanded each year as more exotic Iris were introduced. This remarkable

garden was a source of delight and pride for Mo. When he wasn’t gardening, he was often trout fishing.

As a native Minnesotan fishing was in his blood, so 2-3 times a week he could be found out in the

various lakes of El Dorado County—and beyond. As a man who enjoyed helping others, Mo spent over

ten years volunteering at Marshall Hospital in Placerville.

Hazel passed away in 2007 and in the ensuing years Mo continued living in their home where he enjoyed

reading—mainly mysteries as well as the Sacramento Bee and National Geographic. He played Kismet

with daughter Laraine and her partner Steve, watched golf and some baseball on TV and was always up

for Lawrence Welk reruns. Between 2004 and 2018 he enjoyed hitting the casinos at Tahoe and, in later

years at Jackson with his friend Herman—trying his luck at nickel slots.

When Mo was 99, he moved to Gold Country Retirement in Placerville where he enjoyed cruising the

halls in his power chair, meeting people, and watching the squirrels out on the lawn as well as the

variety of birds at the many feeders. The Hummingbirds were his favorites because they reminded him

of his beloved Hazel and the hummingbirds they had loved watching at their Cedar Grove home.

Grandpa Moberg was adored by his grandchildren and they never grew tired of spending time with him.

Granddaughter Jen says, “This man was the definition of positivity, kindness, gentleness and valor. He was the pillar of this family in the most loving, pragmatic, non-assuming manner imaginable. He brought everyone together over any divide. His love for family never wavered, in fact strengthened as the years marched on.” Mo was someone who made people happy by just being in his presence. People remember him as a good friend—someone who always cared for others, made others feel important, and was just plain fun to be around. Through the years he mentored and influenced many with his encouragement and his example of a strong work ethic. He was honest and humble with an unforgettable smile and a contagious laugh. And as Laraine’s partner Steve described him: ”Overall happy with the world and his life; as he aged he tolerated each new limitation with equanimity and adjusted to those changes just as if he were merely changing his sox. A remarkable man.”

When asked about the secret to longevity, Mo answered “Behaving yourself and surrounding yourself

with those you love, and what you love.”

He is preceded in death by his wife Hazel, and his son, Maurice Moberg. He is survived by his daughter, Laraine Stefan, seven grandchildren, two great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews across the country.

A memorial will be held at a later date. Donations in his name are suggested to be given to St. Jude

Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Hospitals for Children.