Miriam Joyce (Anderson) Motley

Friday, December 21, 2018 1:01 pm

Miriam Joyce (Anderson) Motley, 88, died Dec. 20, 2018, at home, in Decorah, surrounded by her loving family, after a brave battle with cancer. Per Miriam’s wishes, a private family celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Miriam was born Dec. 4, 1930, in Austin, Minn. She was the Tri-State Marble Champion at the age of 9 in 1939, beating out her sister’s 16-year-old boyfriend. She graduated from high school in Eugene, Ore. in 1949, and attended the University of Oregon in Eugene, studying interior design. She lived in Turkey for six months with her parents and sister, Judy. She worked as a librarian in the Hormel corporate office in Austin, where she met Gene Motley. They married April 6, 1957, and moved to Decorah, where she became a homemaker and mother. Together they raised five daughters and one son. Miriam will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved spending time with family, especially at the cabin on Sand Lake near New Auburn, Wis. She enjoyed reading, putting together puzzles, pontoon rides, garage-saling, shopping with her daughters and going out to eat. She will be remembered for her sense of humor and her many “Miriam-isms.” She loved jewelry and the gems her dad collected. She raised animal lovers and always welcomed our pets into her home. She was patient, loving and kind and belongs on the highest pedestal. She was loved by her family and friends and will be forever missed.

Miriam is survived by her husband of 61 years, Gene Motley; children: Mary (Tony) Lea of Decorah, Mike (Robin) Motley of Duluth, Minn., Judy (Tim) Holmquist, of St. Louis Park, Minn., Kay Motley of St. Louis Park, Minn., Trinna (Steve) Sweet of New Auburn, Wis. and Joni (Layne) Meyer of West Union; her grandchildren, whom she loved very much: Zach, Maria, Andy, Ellen, Erin, Kelsey, Hannah, Emma, Lucas, Kyle and Seth; brother, Jim (Greta) Anderson, of Eugene, Ore.; sister, Jeanette Ralston, of Renton, Wash.; and many nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by parents, Elmer and Nellie Faye Anderson; brother, Dean Anderson; and sister, Judy Doty.

We would like to send special thanks to the WMC hospice caregivers, especially Jill and Emily, who would make Miriam’s eyes light up every time they entered her home.