An event planned weeks ago to honor Dean Moede, 79, of Menasha, with a renamed room in Reeve Memorial Union became an opportunity for the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh community to remember the active alumnus and former university employee Monday, following his passing Aug. 19.
Judy and Dean Moede in 1970
The 1965 economics major graduated as president of his senior class, was active in student government and worked part-time as a night supervisor in Reeve Memorial Union. He also pledged to the fraternity Sigma Tau Gamma. For decades, he kept in contact with his fraternity brothers across the country, keeping them updated about UWO.
Moede met his wife, Judy, in 1961 in a UWO western civilization class and the two had been together ever since.
After graduating, Moede worked for Rockwell Standard as an expediter for one year. During that year, he realized he missed UW Oshkosh and came back to work for Reeve Memorial Union as staff in operations and student activities for two decades.
Moede thrived on his interactions with students, fostering school spirit and nurturing student organizations.
Judy also graduated in 1965 and worked for Kimberly-Clark Corp. for 21 years in human resources and management information systems. All three of their daughters, Lori Wiesner ‘93, Dana Vanevenhoven ‘93, and Lyn Rogers ‘91, graduated from UW Oshkosh.
Even in retirement, the Moedes never lost their passion for UWO. In 2015, Dean helped welcome the class of 1965 back to campus for their Golden Titan Reunion.
Dean Moede (right) at the 2015 Golden Titan Reunion
On Monday, Reeve 202 was rededicated. It is now the Dean and Judy Moede Family Room.
“I can’t think of a more vocal, enthusiastic and joyful advocate for UWO than Dean Moede,” Chancellor Andy Leavitt said at the rededication. “That’s why this room will bear his name, and Judy’s name, for decades to come.”
Judy said the renaming was a great honor, as the room had been used for so many different events, including formal dances, campus event announcements, speaker series and even a communication center for police enforcement during the riots of 1968.
“It was the main social venue on campus for over 50 years and touched so many students, faculty and staff during that time,” she said. “It’s an honor with many wonderful memories to be identified with Room 202.”
The room also is special because one of Moede’s daughters worked for the maintenance department in Reeve and helped clean the room.
Judy Moede and her grandchildren—wearing yellow cowboy hats in honor of their late grandfather’s signature look—at the Room 202 renaming Monday.
A memorial service for Dean will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 23, at Westgor Funeral Home in Neenah. A visitation will be held from 3:30 p.m. until the hour of service. Read the full obituary.
UW Oshkosh alumni intern Mattie Beck contributed to this story.
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