Tanya Lynn Moe

Tanya Lynn Moe, 50, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Caledonia, Minnesota, on August 16, 2026. 

Tanya was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on June 2, 1976, to Randy and Tonia Rusert. Tanya’s Rusert and Skadson families showered Tanya with tremendous amounts of love, affection, and attention. Tanya attended Caledonia Public Elementary School before completing her elementary education at St. John’s, graduating from Caledonia Public High School. She attended Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa, after high school before joining the Regular Army with aspirations of becoming a combat medic. Tanya was injured in training and was honorably discharged. Shortly after her discharge, Tanya had a serious motor vehicle accident at the age of 21. She rehabilitated with both her Skadson and Rusert families. A trip to North Dakota State University in Fargo, North Dakota, was her next destination before moving back to Caledonia. Tanya met future husband Darin at the Eitzen Family Fun Fest on July 3, 2001, a date Tanya would refer to as the time that “she knew he was the one.” Darin and Tanya immediately began their adventures together, sharing many of them with Darin’s son Taylor. After Darin was released from nearly three years of active duty, Darin and Tanya were married at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on August 11, 2005. They renewed their vows at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, almost 20 years later. Tanya was a strong Army wife and supported Darin’s Army career by taking care of things while he was away. Tanya and Darin loved to travel, with an eye on various experiences and adventures. They traveled to beautiful resorts in the Caribbean and took multiple cruises onboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Tanya and Darin had a goal of visiting all 50 states together; they made 43. They whale watched in Maine, took an underwater tour in a submarine off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii, and a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon as some of the highlights. They attended many concerts and music festivals, with their favorite being Ozzfest. Mostly because of the music lineups, they also went to the Daytona Bike Week Rally and multiple trips to the Buffalo Chip at the Sturgis Rally. She was an avid photographer, loved raising flowers, and had artistic skill with painting on canvas and pencil drawings. Tanya was employed by Mayo Clinic, The Company Store, Kwik Trip, with over a decade at Centurylink. Tanya found her true professional calling by establishing her own residential cleaning business, with a niche of serving clients with dogs. They trusted Tanya with their houses, dogs, and families. Years of adventure seeking such as being an amateur boxer, skydiving, bungee jumping, cliff jumping combined with injuries suffered from her accident at 21 took their toll and Tanya retired from working, waiting for Darin to retire in 2027, when they would take her dream vacation to Paris, France. Tanya had a distinct laugh, beautiful smile, outgoing personality, and would do just about anything for somebody that needed a boost in life.

Tonia Sue Rusert, Tanya’s mother, who passed on May 29, 2020, will be the first family member to be mentioned. Tanya and Tonia were inseparable throughout life, and they will both be interred in the same urn, together forever, just as they both wanted.

On the Rusert side of Tanya’s family, she is survived by her father Randy (Deb) Rusert of Lewiston, brother Lance (Kristie) Rusert of Altura, and sister Amber Rusert of Winona; aunts and uncles Rhonda (Jerry) Lonigro of Athens, Alabama, Ron (Jane) Rusert of Lewiston, Becky Felix of Wilson, and Richard Rusert of Lewiston. Tanya’s Godparents were Ron Rusert and Joyce (Mark) Rusert. Tanya is also survived by her cousins Dulcie, Misty, Marshall, Dallas and Dustin. 

Preceding Tanya in death were her grandparents W. Daryl and Dorathy Rusert, Mary Rusert, uncle Clem Felix, and cousins Jamie and Crystal.

Tanya’s surviving Skadson family includes aunts and uncles Julia (Bob) Brand of Elroy, Wisconsin, Merlene (Len) Reining of Caledonia, Mary Ellen (Dave) Wangen of Mabel, Lesa (Todd) Johnson of Eitzen, and Mark Skadson of Houston. Tanya is also survived by many cousins, with first cousins Tim (Melinda) Klug of La Crescent and Stacy (Tony) Caldwell of Fort Atkinson, Iowa, being the very closest to Tanya her entire life. She will be deeply missed.

The Moe side of Darin’s family brought many new family members to Tanya, just as Darin was welcomed into both the Skadson and Rusert families. Tanya is survived by son Taylor of Anoka, Darin’s parents George and Mavis Moe of Caledonia, brother-in-law Jason (Angela) Moe of La Crosse, nephews Wyatt and Wesley Moe, also of La Crosse, aunts and uncles Lori (Bryan) St. Mary of Caledonia, Ruth (Stanley) Knutson of Rushford, Mel (Betty) Moe of West Salem, and Richard (Eugenia) Moe of Winona. Also survived by Darin’s Godparents and great-aunt and uncle, Hubert (Iona) Burmester of Caledonia. Tanya knew all of Darin’s cousins, with Amy and Missy being the closest. Tanya is also survived by many of Darin’s Army buddies and his coworkers from the La Crosse Post Office.

Tanya is also survived by her dogs Lexi and Louie. Chloe, Sampson, and Tabby spent their entire lives with Tanya and Darin.

Services for Tanya Lynn Moe will be on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the Jandt Fredrickson Funeral Home and Chapel, 518 West Main Street, Caledonia. Visitation from noon to 1 p.m., with a service starting at 1 p.m., with interment including military honors at the Evergreen Cemetery at the conclusion of the service. A light lunch and beverages will be provided at American Legion Post 191, 129 South Marshall Street, Caledonia, following the preceding events. Tanya’s favorite color of flowers was yellow, any variety, and her mom Tonia loved red roses. All are welcome.