Birthe Sams Moe, 92, of Valparaiso passed away Thursday, September 10, 2026. She was born December 7, 1933, in Fredericia, Denmark to Tage and Rigmor (Skivesen) Sams. Birthe emigrated to the U.S. at age 15 and graduated from Bay Ridge High School in Brooklyn before earning her R.N. at Norwegian Lutheran Hospital in Brooklyn. Birthe made her career as an obstetrics nurse for 38 years, most of which were at Iroquois Memorial Hospital in Watseka, IL and Porter Memorial Hospital in Valparaiso.
She was an avid reader enjoying mystery novels and had even authored a book, "My Two Flags". Cooking traditional Danish holiday dishes, exhibiting her knitting expertise, telling stories, and writing songs for her family brought her a special joy. Her strong faith was practiced daily with devotions and at Christ Lutheran Church. She became a collector of clocks primarily due to her grandfather's vocation as a clocksmith in Denmark. And she never passed up a chance to travel back to Denmark or brag about its attributes to friends and family.
On July 10, 1954, she married Rev. Jerry E. Moe at Salem Danish Lutheran Church in Brooklyn. He preceded her in death in 2015, having been married for 61 years. Survivors include their children: Ingrid (David) Miller of Anchorage, AK, Astrid (Rock) Richwine of Van Buren, IN, Kirsten (Oliver) Bouthier of Columbus, IN & Eric (Christy) Moe of Winnebago, IL, grandchildren: Sonja (Mike), Paul (Emily), Kara , Ben (Joanna), Philip (Michelle), Molly (Eric), Bente and Nina, great-grandchildren: Madison, Jack, Aidan, Claire, Logan, Callen, Owen, Casey, Colton and Beckett, and dear friends, Maria & Nick Kouknas & family. She was also preceded in death by her parents, and one sister, Vilma Jorgensen.
A visitation will be held Thursday, September 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, 2610 Campbell St., Valparaiso, with funeral service beginning at 2 p.m. and burial to follow at Angelcrest Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Christ Lutheran Church.
