Nola Annette Moen was born May 24th 1955 in Lemmon, SD, the second daughter of Earl and Lillian Moen. She grew up on the family farm with her parents and three sisters. Nola attended Beisigl School in Adams County, ND and graduated from Lemmon High School in 1973. She studied social work, graduating from Moorhead State in 1979.

After college, Nola held various jobs in North Dakota and Minnesota. She earned her masters degree in social work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1985 and went on to work as a school social worker for three decades in the Eden Prairie school district in Minnesota. She was lovingly called "Miss Nola" by her students and made occasional appearances as Miss Frizzle from 'The Magic School Bus' book series, with whom Nola shared curly red hair, an eclectic wardrobe, and a sense of adventure.

Indeed, Nola had many adventures in life: she lived in Montana, worked on Bill Cody's dude ranch in Wyoming, traveled to Hawaii, Europe, and Africa, and spent two years as a school social worker in Colombia. She inspired many with her independence and free spirit, not least her beloved nieces and nephews.

One of Nola's greatest adventures was her marriage to long-time love, Larry Knudsen, who she wed on December 22, 2004 in Mexico. Nola and Larry lived on Larry's family farm outside of Northfield, MN for about twenty years. In 2023, they purchased a house in town, where Nola lived until her passing.

Nola loved art and was an artist in her own right. She lovingly decorated her homes with objects collected from nature, artist friends, and during her travels. Guests in Nola's home were sure to enjoy brightly painted walls, big plants, and beautifully arranged objects, large and small, adorning walls and shelves. Her style was admired by many.

Nola is survived by her loving husband Larry Knudsen, by her sisters April (Clark), Greta (Kevin), and Christine (Tom), by her nieces and nephews Ida, Alena, Samantha, Quillan, Ruby, and Jack, by great-nieces Lillian (Lilly), Sylvie, and Rosemary. Sisters in law Linda Moore and Jean Marie Vansteenhoven, and by loving friends and family–many of whom got to be by her side in her final days.

Nola was one of a kind. She was a great home cook, she loved to laugh, and she thought life was always better with "a little lipstick." She will forever be remembered for her wild and loving spirit. Nola passed away on October 21, 2025, departing with the profound love of her friends and family, and with the wind in her ginger curls.

Visitation will be held from 4:00PM - 7:00PM on Thursday, November 6, 2025, at the Bierman, Benson & Langehough Funeral Home in Northfield.  A service to celebrate Nola's life will be held at 11:00AM, Friday, November 7, 2025 at the funeral home, with a reception and time of sharing to follow.

Arrangements are with the Bierman, Benson & Langehough Funeral Home & Crematory.  www.northfieldfuneral.com