Annie Mary Motschenbacher

Annie Mary Motschenbacher, age 61, of Moorhead, MN, passed away peacefully in her home under Hospice care with her family by her side on January 12, 2017.

Annie was born in Fargo, ND, on July 13, 1955, to Paul and Florence (Leinum) Motschenbacher. Annie grew up in rural Sabin on the family farm and attended grade school in Sabin. Annie graduated in the top ten percent of her class from Moorhead Senior High School in 1973. She then attended Moorhead State University where she graduated with a BA degree in English in 1978. Annie worked as a nurse's aide at St. Ansgar Hospital. She then started her banking career as a trainer at numerous banks in the area including Metropolitan State Bank, Gate City Bank, Community First Bank and US Bank until she retired in 2011.

Annie's faith was very important to her; she was a Eucharistic minister, lector, instructor of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, confirmation teacher and confirmation sponsor for numerous teens at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Moorhead. In August 1993, Annie chaperoned church youth who went to World Youth Day in Denver, CO, to see Pope John Paul II. Annie was also active in Toastmasters, Beginning Experience, served on the board of directors for Birthright of Fargo Moorhead and volunteered at Churches United for the Homeless.

Annie suffered from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) since June 2004. PSP affects balance, walking, speech, swallowing and vision. The disease results from the gradual deterioration of brain cells in the brain stem. PSP is extremely rare, 3 in every 100,000 people worldwide suffer from PSP.

Annie is survived by her brothers, Paul (Joyce) Motschenbacher Jr. of Perham, MN, and Nicholas Motschenbacher of Fairbanks, AK; sister, Barbara (Sheldon) Dahl of Sabin; nieces and nephews, Brad (Jill) Motschenbacher, Patsy (Dean) Wallace, Debora (Neil) Sapin, Paul Heng, Sara (Scott) Fairfield, Karen Motschenbacher, Nicole Motschenbacher, Matthew Motschenbacher, Brittney Motschenbacher, Scott Motschenbacher, Annie Joy Motschenbacher, Lisa (Ben) Menne, Christopher (Jen) Dahl, Michell Dahl; and seven great-nieces and seven great-nephews.

Annie was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Florence Motschenbacher; sister, Claudia Heng; brother, Raymond Motschenbacher; and niece, Carla Bergee.

Visitation: Tuesday, January 17, 2017, from 5 - 7 PM, with a prayer service at 6:30 PM, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Moorhead.

Funeral Mass: Wednesday, January 18, 2017, at 11 AM, in St. Joseph Catholic Church.