Stanley Thomas Motschenbacher
August 22, 1934 ~ October 21, 2021
STANLEY (Stan) THOMAS MOTSCHENBACHER, aged 87, of Forest Lake, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at Birchwood Senior Living on Thursday, October 21, 2021.
Stan was born on August 22, 1934, in Barnesville, Minnesota, to Leo and Bonnie Motschenbacher. He spent his younger years on his parents’ farm and later moved to Moorhead, Minnesota. After his parents passed, Stan was raised by his siblings. He graduated from Moorhead High School in 1952, where he began his football career.
After high school, many individuals encouraged Stan to attend college, and a special coach took him under his wing and encouraged him to come to State College, Moorhead and play football. He decided to go out for the team and attend college, where he met his future wife, Shirley Scheer. They married on August 7, 1955, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Moorhead, Minnesota. Stan played center on the Moorhead State football team. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and Vocal Music in 1957. Stan and Shirley then moved to Romeo, Michigan, where Stan taught high school drafting and coached football. Because of his love for his students and football players, and their love for him, Stan pursued an advanced degree in Guidance and Counseling so that he could work full-time counseling kids. He graduated from Michigan State with his Master of Arts Degree in 1965. Stan also served for 8 years in the North Dakota and Michigan Army National Guard during these years.
Nine years later, Stan and Shirley and their five children moved to Forest Lake, Minnesota, where Stan worked as a football coach and Guidance Counselor at Forest Lake High School. He also served as president of the Forest Lake Education Association and president of the Capitol UniServ Unit during this time. After 42 years in education, Stan retired in 1997.
In addition to his dedication to family and his work in education, Stan was involved in music. He played the violin and guitar, performed in operettas, and sang for many years in the St. Peter’s Catholic Church choir. He was also an avid outdoorsman - the Big “M” Ranch, which he built with his children and shared with grand-children and friends, was his favorite place in the world. He was a hunter and a fisherman. Stan was also an athlete - he played football and coached football, and loved to golf.
Among his many honors and recognitions were being named a “Good Guy” at the 2001 Good Guy Golf Open and being inducted into the Forest Lake Hall of Fame in 2011.
Stan is survived by his beloved wife, Shirley, and his children Terri (Jeff) Evans of St. Michael, Minnesota; Tim (Cathy Arndt) of Forest Lake, Minnesota; Tom (Lisa) of Ham Lake, Minnesota; John (Kim) of Blaine, Minnesota; and Anna (Kevin) Halvorson of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota - and former daughter-in-law, Debra. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, as well as their spouses and significant others: Andrew (Tanya Travers), Bryce (Brooke Michelle), Tori, Kyle, Kara (Joe), Mason (Melody), Brandon, Amanda (Trevan), Hayley (Marc), Colton, Tyler (Danielle), and Nathan. In addition, Stan is also survived by 13 great grandchildren - Olivia, Daniel, Cole, Louis, Brooks, Liam, Sullivan, June, Evelyn, Henry, Ava, Mia, and Wyatt; two godchildren, Nick Altavilla and Judy (Motschenbacher) Lewis.
Stan is preceded in death by his parents, Bonnie and Leo Motschenbacher and 12 siblings and their spouses: Viva, Niles, Bernard, Fern, Marion, David (Dick), Dorothy (Toots), Herbert (Herb), June, Etta, Floyd, and Claude. Also preceding him in death was daughter-in-law, Lori (Tom) Motschenbacher, and many dear family members and friends.
Visitation for Stanley Thomas Motschenbacher will take place on Wednesday, October 27th from 4:00 - 8:00 pm (short prayer service and a time of sharing at 6:00pm) at Robert’s Family Funeral Home (555 S.W. Centennial Drive, Forest Lake, MN - 651-464-4422). A mass in honor of Stan will be celebrated at 11:00am (visitation at 10:00am) on Thursday, October 28th at St. Peter’s Catholic Church (1250 South Shore Drive, Forest Lake, MN - 651-982-2200). Attendees are encouraged to wear masks, particularly if not vaccinated. Internment will take place on Friday, October 29th at 11:00am at Calvary Catholic Cemetery (232nd St N at Everton Avenue N., Forest Lake, MN 55025).
Stan had many sayings that he was famous for. Perhaps most important was, “I love you, and don’t you forget it.” He would want you to know that now.
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On behalf of the Forest Lake American Legion Post 225, we give thanks for Stan’s military service to our country in the Army and to veterans as a long time Legion member. It will be a privilege to do his military honors at St Peter church.
Stan was such a loving man and a tremendous sense of humor. I taught with Shirley and PRIVILEGED TO HAVE THEM IN MY LIFE. I frequently told him he needed to sing at my funeral. Now he’ll be singing with the angels.
Our hearts are with you.
Dear Motschenbacher Family. We will all miss Stan, a TRULY Good Guy.
One of my favorite days of the year, the last Friday in June, brought the Motschenbachers, Halvorsons, and Evans families with other family friends in tow, to play in the Good Guy Open. Stan would always come in with a big smile, giving hugs and handshakes to all the Becker’s. When he received the Good Guy award in 2001, he was very humbled and gracious and always helped sell a TON of raffle tickets . He and the entire Motschenbacher family have been very generous with their support of our event and I will MISS Stan, their patriarch, leading the gang . God Bless you Stan. Rest in Peace
Missing you…loving you…
Yes, he definitely was a “Good Guy!”
My fondest memory of Stan was his joy and zest for life! A good man with a big heart. A joy to be around always!
Stan was a great, kind, loving man. He will be greatly missed. Love, hugs and prayers to Shirley and the entire family.
With much love and many fond memories, We will toast you with a Hamm’s my friend. Love You Stanley.
Thank you Stan for your many years of service on the committee (and always the first banquet registration we’d receive) with heartfelt condolences.
Stan was truly an amazing friend and just a great person all around. We are so grateful to have known him and been a small part of his life. God Bless
May you be comforted by the warm memories and his great smile. All or love Bart and Sheila Bodway
Terri, I wish you and your family love and comfort. Your dad was a good man and a role model. Mark Black
Thanks so much, Mark. When a doctor asked us to describe our dad, the first word I thought of was “good.”
Mr. M was instrumental in getting me to choose Nursing as my career! He left quite an impact on so many students lives, but his nature and outlook! What an amazing talented man he was for the FL community! Now Heaven just got a bit brighter too! Deb Branum Class of ‘70
So sorry for your loss. I’ve seen Stan “Mr Motschenbacher” throughout the years. First as the high school guidance counselor, then at St Peters with his family and singing in the choir. Since Covid hit, I hadn’t seen him for almost 2years. In September I saw him again bringing communion and doing a service as well as praying the rosary. I was shocked to see him looking so frail. But after talking to him, I could tell his strong spirit was still there. He asked to sing Ave Maria, and the next week he sang the Lords Prayer. Strong right to the end. What an amazing Man. Judy Trombley Linnerooth
Sad, I loved his wife as a teacher. As a guidance counselor his favorite advice was calling every student average. I had my record in front of me and pressed if 140 was my IQ. He said it was. I’d been top 2-3% until mental health issues, which he insisted was me being average. Even in face of scores ,including taking the SAT in 8th grade, by invitation), I was average.
He said the same thing to my mom in the 60s, my sister before me. Stan hated smart women. I could have set fire to that school but they’d have never let me miss out on standardized testing day.