Randina Lucille Poels

July 28, 2017 Randina Lucille Poels, nee Halvorson, perished peacefully in her sleep today. Randy, as she was better known, recently celebrated her 98th birthday. She had been married to Hubert G. Poels for nearly 50 years when he was taken from her in July of 1988. Her oldest daughter, Jacqueline Marie Poels also made an early departure from Randy's life in August of 2004. Randina is survived by four daughters: Bette Lee Molloy, San Diego, CA, Ruth E. Schultz, Alexandria, MN, Cynthia K. Knoop, San Diego, CA, and Vicki L. Poels, Phoenix, AZ. The Poels/Halvorson legacy continues with Randina's 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren. Randina and Hubert owned the Valley Motel, in Moorhead, MN for many years. Before settling in Moorhead, however, they were quite the vagabonds, travelling the tri state area with their five girls and a mobile home, planting many roots along the way. Fishing, hunting, and love of nature were some of the enjoyments the Poels' reaped from life. When not fishing in Minnesota lakes, they would fly to Canada where the walleye and northern pike were huge and plentiful. Fish frys at their home on Cormorant Lake were always a treat whether with family or friends. A small cabin near Itaska State Park was the place Hubert and Randy hunted and savored the beautiful woods. Randina loved bowling, went to many tournaments and won several trophies. Her other hobbies included playing bridge, whist and other card games. She would astound people when playing with her savvy and shrewdness even well into her 90's. Of course, being a Minnesotan, Randy vigorously supported the Twins and the Vikings. There were times, when sports seasons overlapped, you could find her watching one game on television and listening to another with a transistor radio at her ear. High school basketball was another of her passions. Many nights during the Spud's tournaments she and one or more of her daughters would pack up the car with coffee and goodies, park outside the school and wait for tickets to the games to go on sale. Whenever Randy's friends would visit, she always had fresh cookies, donuts or other baked goods to accompany the coffee, which was always on and always hot. Her home was welcoming and filled with laughter and music. Randina was a strong woman who, at the age of 40, decided to learn to drive and get her license. Then she became unstoppable. She cared for several of her grandchildren through the years. When Hubert became ill, Randy nursed him continually, driving from Audubon to Fargo repeatedly. Randina worked so very hard throughout her long life. In the days of the motel, aside from the room cleaning and the laundry, which was done in house with a wringer washer, for many years, she had five girls to raise while Hubert was working away from home during the week. Her sleep was interrupted during the night when travellers would ring the office bell requesting lodgings, yet, with the next dawn she was awake and busy with that day's new challenges. Randina will be grievously missed by all of her family. However, she will be remembered for the life she lived and her heritage of strength and love.