Bennie J. Motis Sr.

Bennie J. Motis Sr., 70, of Grand Forks, passed away on October 29, 2008, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks. Bennie James Motis Sr. was born on April 14, 1938, in Lidgerwood, ND, the son of Frank & Esther (Peterson) Motis. He grew up in Barney, ND, and attended school in Antelope, ND. Following school, Bennie worked on a farm several years before moving to the Fargo/Moorhead area to begin a career in Auto Detailing. He worked for Don's Carwash for several years. He married Priscilla Lund in 1961. Bennie moved to the Twin Cities in 1965 where he worked numerous years for Park & Lake Carwash. In 1967 he married Marion Green. Before moving to Grafton, ND, he married Violet Christenson in 1985. In 1995 he began work detailing cars in Grafton for Johnson Auto Sales up until his retirement in 2000. Bennie enjoyed keeping his cars clean, playing cards, pool, video games, the outdoors, and spending time with friends and family. Bennie is survived by his sons, Jim (Beth) Motis of Moorhead, MN, Bennie Motis Jr. of Houston, TX; daughters, Leisha Motis of Moorhead, MN, Donna Motis and Denese Motis both of Wichita, KS; brother, Jim (Josephine) Motis of Breckinridge, MN; sisters, Mae (Norman) Aasen of Underwood, MN, Betty (Ron) Wagner of Circle Pines, MN, Viola Liethausier of West Fargo, ND, Jeannette Motis of Buffalo, MN, 15 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, special friends Violet, Dennis and Mark Erickson, and several nieces, nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents and a brother, Dennis. Funeral Services: 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 1, 2008 at Amundson Funeral Home 2975 S. 42nd St. Grand Forks, ND. Visitation: 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Amundson Funeral Home on Saturday, Nov. 1.