Ann Lian

Ann Lian, age 73, of McIntosh, MN, passed away on Saturday, February 22nd, at McIntosh Senior Living. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 8th, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church with Rachel Roggenbuck, SAM officiating. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Moorhead, MN at a later date. Family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service on Saturday (8th) at the church. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of McIntosh and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com. 

Annie’s life journey as written by Annie herself….

My life began on September 20, 1951. I was the third child born to Erling and Beatrice (Ristuben) Lian in Staples, MN. I have a sister, Connie, and a brother, Paul. I was baptized in December of 1951 at Trinity Lutheran. We lived in Staples for nine months. Then dad became the 7-12 grade band director at Owatonna High School, in Owatonna, MN. There I was fortunate to go to Miss Helen’s Nursery School which was held in the basement of her home. Then I attended Roosevelt Elementary School, a wonderful place to start my public education. When I started 7th grade at OHS, my favorite class was band, of course, since my dad was the director. That year, after pleading with my dad and mom, I was able to see the Beatles with my best friend, Melinda, in Minneapolis at the old Met Stadium. Later when my dad went on sabbatical leave to the University of Redlands, CA I attended 8th grade at Redlands Junior High. Here are some of the “firsts” I was able to experience: first pizza made at a pizzeria, tacos and other Mexican food, weekend travels around the area, and a fabulous trip to Maui, Hawaii. My parents loved to travel. By the time I graduated from OHS in 1970 I visited 49 states. Upon graduation I was accepted into Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. I am still proud to be a Concordia Cobber and am the 21st relative to graduate from there. While at Concordia, I was able to travel to Europe on a travel abroad seminar where I studied the British Primary Schools for three weeks. I graduated in May of 1974 with a degree in Elementary Education and Art.

After writing over 200 letters of application, I was offered a position as a 6th grade teacher in Mentor, MN where I taught for 26 years. The school closed in 2000 because of consolidation, and I taught at the Fertile/Beltrami School for 13 years. During this time I traveled to Alaska to complete my goal of visiting all 50 states. With family and friends, I’ve traveled to England, France, Norway, Amsterdam, Switzerland, Italy, Scotland, Greece, Turkey, Croatia, the Netherlands, the Caribbean, and all over Mexico. While teaching, I received a Master’s Degree in Curriculum Instruction from St. Scholastica in Duluth. I enjoyed working at the Oak Lake Golf Course even after retiring from teaching in 2013. My students meant the world to me. It was my honor to teach them and share this love of teaching with wonderful fellow teachers. 

While living in McIntosh, I served on the city council. I was also trustee and secretary of the church council at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. I continued to attend many concerts, including seeing Barry Manilow umpteen times. I loved animals, especially cats (Phyllis) and dogs.

I am survived by my brother Paul Lian from Phoenix, AZ; cousins and many friends.

I am preceded in death by my parents; my sister Connie Lian Elness; aunt Phyllis Kloster; uncle Dr. Kenneth Ristuben and his wife Sally, Aunt Gladys, Auntie Gerda, Aunt Phyllis Kloster, cousin John Kloster and my brother-in-law Rand Elness, who was married to my sister, Connie, for 52 years.

Yes…. I am wearing my legs!