Astrid Moser

Astrid Moser, 80, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away on June 10, 2023, in Madison, surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

Astrid was born on June 6, 1943, in Raudondvaris, Lithuania, to Ewald and Lydia (Dressler) Mikoleit. Her family belonged to a group of ethnic Germans living near the East Prussian border, known as the Deutsche aus Litauen. Although Astrid’s family lived in Lithuania, they maintained their cultural and religious identity. Astrid’s early life wasn’t easy, and because of their ancestry, her family had to leave Lithuania in 1944. Fleeing the Russians, and upon reaching East Prussia, Astrid’s father was immediately taken to serve in the German army, where he was assigned to take care of the officer’s horses. Astrid never saw him again, as he was reported missing in early 1945, likely killed in Dresden or near Krakow. After the war ended, Astrid, her mother, and brother, moved to Hann. Münden, a fairytale-like town in Lower Saxony, West Germany. Astrid’s earliest memories were from Hann. Münden and she cherished her time there, hiking with her classmates in the forests made famous by the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. To Astrid, there was no doubt Hann. Münden was her Heimat. 

Hard economic times in post-war Germany led Astrid’s family to eventually follow other family members who had relocated to the United States. In 1956, through the help of the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Astrid and her mother and brother immigrated to Milwaukee. Moving to a new country at age 13 and knowing little English was difficult. Despite the language barrier, Astrid excelled at school and graduated from South Division High School in 1961 — straight A’s in German class definitely helped! In 1962, Astrid met the love of her life, Ronald Moser, just after he returned from serving in the U.S. Navy. Astrid and Ron married in 1965 and had two children, first living in West Allis, and later in Mukwonago. Astrid was an amazing mother who sacrificed much of herself to make a wonderful home. For many years her home also included her mother, Lydia. 

Christmases were filled with many homemade cookies and pastries and other German traditions, including an ever-present Advent wreath. Every year, Astrid would remind her children to “put their shoes out” for St. Nick’s Day on Dec. 6 to receive little gifts of candy and toys. One of her fondest Christmas memories was her young children singing Silent Night (in German of course) during a Christmas Eve program at church. 

Astrid worked outside the home when her kids were older and took a job as a bank teller, eventually becoming the secretary to the president at Citizen’s Bank of Mukwonago. Once the kids were grown, Astrid and Ron would often go dancing at the Schwabenhof, a nearby German Biergarten. In May of 2001, Astrid finally returned to Germany, this time with Ron at her side. It had been 45 years since Astrid had been in Hann. Münden, but she remembered the town as if she had only been gone for a short time. The visit was during her favorite time of year, late spring, when the flowers were in bloom. As she walked through the cobblestone streets and pointed out the sites and the places that held the most meaning, she was a happy child again. Astrid was also excited to see her cousins and other extended family after being away so long. Although she only visited Germany for a few weeks, Astrid often spoke of this trip as one the best times of her life. 

Upon retiring in 2003, Astrid and Ron moved to Indian Lake in Sugar Camp. Their dream together was to retire “Up North” and live on a lake. Astrid loved her house on the lake and, much like in Mukwonago, maintained a beautiful flower garden. They spent their days cruising the lake on their pontoon boat and visiting nearby Eagle River. They also became the parents of a very big black Labrador named Drake and took him on many walks in the woods. While Drake may have intimidated some (and possibly most), to Astrid he was a “gentle giant” and a big teddy bear.

Sadly, their time at Indian Lake did not last as long as they had hoped. After a five-year battle with cancer, Ron passed away in 2009. Astrid loved Ron deeply and her grief was profound. She remained at the lake another three years, but after Ron passed, maintaining the house and surviving northern Wisconsin winters became difficult for her. 

In 2012, Astrid moved to Helena, Montana, to be closer to her son and his family. She had a house with a big fenced-in yard for Drake and spent much time with her young grandsons Kai and Dane. She found much joy in doting on her grandkids.

Astrid still missed Wisconsin though, and after the death of her beloved Drake, she decided to move back to the Northwoods in 2016 to be closer to her memories. She moved to Rhinelander, a few miles from Indian Lake, where just outside her back door a steep hill dropped into a city park. She loved to watch her grandkids sled down the hill when they visited her, during the holidays and even in the summer. 

Astrid lived there until 2022, when she moved to Madison, to be near her daughter and her other two grandchildren, Henry and Olivia. During Astrid’s final years, a rare blood disorder robbed her of much of her energy and ultimately led to her being homebound. She still loved her kids and grandkids though and, never once, forgot their birthdays. 

Ruhe in Frieden Mutter.

Astrid is survived by her daughter Ingrid (Doug Tabbutt) of Madison, son Kurt (Tiffany) of Helena, Montana, grandchildren Henry, Kai, Olivia, and Dane, brother Richard Mikoleit of Presque Isle, niece Lisa Mikoleit, and nephews Eric Mikoleit, Scott Fuhr, Tim Fuhr, Russell Moser and Brad Moser. 

Astrid was preceded in death by her husband Ron, and her parents, Ewald and Lydia.

In keeping with Astrid’s wishes, there will be no funeral. However, those wishing to honor her life may make a donation to the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, P.O. Box 17467, Baltimore, MD 21297.