Anna "Ann" Marie (Ohrt) Guenther was born June 12, 1936, in Rochert, MN, to Henry and Grace (Potter) Ohrt.  Her family were nomads and moved 16 times in her first 16 years.  Her favorite school memories were from District 77 Country School in Rochert, where she graduated eighth grade.  She graduated from St. Cloud High School.  Ann married Raynold Guenther on August 24, 1957, at St. Benedict's Catholic Church in White Earth, MN.

As a child of the depression, she and her family were often hungry.  She said that was why she couldn't throw any food away, and spent her life feeding everyone around her.  Ann never turned anyone away if they were hungry or in need.  She simply tried to help however she could.  Her house became the hub for extra clothing, food, and other items, because everyone knew she would know someone who could use them.

Ann spent a lifetime volunteering.  Cooking for funerals at Catholic and other denominational churches.  She also cooked for Camp Corbett, a catholic camp for kids on Big Elbow Lake.  Ann was a 4-H leader, helping her own children and others in the neighborhood as well as most of her grandchildren. She also chaired Relay for Life for Mahnomen County for several years.  Ann was involved with, and attended, the canonization of St. Tekakwitha in Rome.

She worked as a housewife, taking care of her children (and half the neighborhood kids), helping on the farm and baking every day.  After she and Ray retired from dairy, Ann started working after school daycare at Waubun School.  Eventually she became a custodian for the school district, retiring at age 75.  She was an avid gardener and had an incredible flower garden.  Ann shared her flowers and plants with everyone, believing it was better to give than to receive.  Her generosity to others came back tenfold in return, and she could tell you who each plant was from and when she received it.  Ann never let the grass grow under her feet, but she loved walking barefoot through it.

In her two plus year battle with melanoma cancer, she never lost her positivity and zest for life.  Ann passed away on June 23, 2021, at home surrounded by family, at the age of 85.

Ann is survived by her children: Mary Lou Waldorf of South Range, WI, David (Barb) of Pequot Lakes, MN, Steve (Diane) of Waubun, Lori (Ray) Guenther of Waubun, Susan Guenther also of Waubun, Nancy (Ken) Lacey of LaPorte, MN,  and Donald "Oscar" (Rene) of  Hibbing, MN; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Raynold Guenther; infant son, Mark; and siblings: Ellen, Marion and Henry.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, June 28, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Mahnomen, MN. Visitation will be held Sunday, June 27, 2021, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the church.

Please feel free to sign the guestbook, send condolences and view other opportunities which may be available to the public due to COVID-19 restrictions.