Stanley (Stan) Thomas Motschenbacher, 87, of Forest Lake, Minn., passed away peacefully at Birchwood Senior Living on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021. He was born Aug. 22, 1934, in Barnesville, Minn., to Leo and Bonnie Motschenbacher. He married Shirley Scheer on Aug. 7, 1955 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Moorhead, Minn.
Stan spent his younger years on his parents’ farm and later moved to Moorhead, Minn. 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 Moorhead State College and play football. He decided to go out for the team and attend college, where he met his future wife, Shirley. Stan played center on the football team and earned his bachelor of science degree in education and vocal music in 1957.
Stan and Shirley moved to Romeo where he 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 University with his master of arts degree in 1965. He also served for eight 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, Minn., 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 grandchildren and friends, was his favorite place in the world. He was a hunter and a fisherman. Stan was also an athlete — he played and coached football and also 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; his children, Terri (Jeff) Evans of St. Michael, Minn., Tim (Cathy Arndt) of Forest Lake, Minn., Tom (Lisa) of Ham Lake, Minn., John (Kim) of Blaine, Minn. and Anna (Kevin) Halvorson of Inver Grove Heights, Minn.; former daughter-in-law, Debra; 12 grandchildren, Andrew (Tanya Travers), Bryce (Brooke Michelle), Tori, Kyle, Kara (Joe), Mason (Melody), Brandon, Amanda (Trevan), Hayley (Marc), Colton, Tyler (Danielle), and Nathan; 11 great grandchildren, Olivia, Daniel, Cole, Louis, Brooks, Liam, Sullivan, June, Evelyn, Henry, Ava, Mia, and Wyatt; and one godchild, Nick Altavilla.
Stan is preceded in death by his parents, Bonnie and Leo Motschenbacher; 12 siblings and their spouses; daughter-in-law, Lori (Tom) Motschenbacher; and many dear family members and friends.
Visitation is 4-8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 27 with a short prayer service and a time of sharing at 6 p.m. at Robert’s Family Funeral Home, Forest Lake, Minn.
Mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 28 at Church of St. Peter, Forest Lake, Minn. Attendees are encouraged to wear masks, particularly if not vaccinated.
Internment will take place 11 a.m., Friday, Oct. 29 at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Forest Lake, Minn.
