Funeral Set For Family Of 4 Killed In Aitkin County Crash
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Relatives of the family of four killed in a weekend accident tell us there will be a joint funeral a week from Monday.
The four died in a crash on Highway 65 near McGrath Saturday afternoon. According to the State Patrol, the family's Mazda SUV slid on the snow-packed roadway and into on-coming traffic. A Chevy Suburban going north slammed into their SUV.
The Moe family, who live in Columbia Heights, was traveling back from a Christmas trip. The loss is something their extended family is having a hard time processing.
On Christmas day, Chris Moe stood by Our Lady of Lourdes alter delivering communion. Two days later, his life was over.
"Very, very devout Catholic and raised his kids that way," cousin Tammy Christensen said.
Chris worked with adults and he worked with kids. We're told you could expect to that family of four there at least once a week.
Christensen says the family joined her in church on her wedding day in 2012. Chris was an usher, Rae- Anne a bridesmaid. Anthony, she says, was his silly self. He and Samantha handed out programs.
"Samantha had the most beautiful curly hair, would always try to straighten it but it would bounce back," she said.
Chris and Tammy were first cousins, a few months apart and incredibly close.
She got the call late Saturday.
"They said they confirmed it. It was Chris, Rae-Anne and the three kids and they were gone all gone, all gone," Christensen said.
Chris and Rae Anne were both medical assistants. She says they had a fun back-and-forth banter. Samantha was 14, Anthony 12. They were kids, she said, who were eager helpers.
"And the two little ones, ugh, to be so full of life and to have so much to look forward to in life and in a split second, it's just all gone," Christensen said.
A family she says who loved and lived as a unit and died that way, too.
"In my heart, it was God's will not to leave the children behind to have to mourn the loss of their parents," Christensen said.
Chris Moe also leaves behind two adult children. Their funeral will be on Monday, Jan. 4, at 10 a.m. with a visitation at 9 a.m. The wake will be Sunday evening from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Washburn-McCreavy Funeral Home on 41st and Central Avenues.
There will also be a memorial service on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at Hill City Baptist Church in Hill City, Minn.
Michael Dmytruk was Chris Moe's best friend. He tells WCCO that Chris was a huge Vikings fan. They are hoping to collect money to buy a brick in his memory at U.S. Bank Stadium.
There is a fund set up to help Chris' mom pay for the service. You can also donate to the Moe family at any TCF Bank.