Posted: 12/21/05
Final Draft - by Cliff Buchan
Lori Florhaug ó forever young
Athletes come and go at Forest Lake High School but there are some you never forget. There is no question that Lori Florhaug Motschenbacher has to be counted among those you never forget.
It has been 28 years since Lori graduated from Forest Lake High School. She was a trailblazer in the early years of girlís athletics in Forest Lake in the years following the adoption of Title IX rules that opened the doors for women to compete.
She was one of the kids who stood out in those days. During an era when girls in general struggled with the fine nuances of athletics, Lori was a go-getter who coupled fine athletic ability with a knack of knowing how to play, be it volleyball or basketball.
Following in the footsteps of Robin Swenson, Lori became the second female to earn a spot in the Forest Lake Rangers Hall of Fame.
She was always a special kind of kid and athlete who could light up a room or a gym with her bright eyes, big smile and a battery full of energy that never stopped when she was diving for a loose ball or driving to the hoop.
She was just 45 on Tuesday, Dec. 13 when she lost a long battle with cancer. By some accounts, the cancer could have claimed her much sooner, but not even the cancer would take this life without a battle. It was just another example of the toughness and determination of Lori Florhaug.
Even at age 45, Lori still stands out in my mind as that high school kid ó forever young, it would seem. And that is a good way to remember her.
She was among the first athletes I covered as a sportswriter in Forest Lake. As so called neutral observers, writers and reporters arenít supposed to take sides.
It was almost impossible to not root for Lori and her teammates in those early years. It was a disappointment that her teams always fell short of earning state tournament trips in those early years.
If anyone deserved to play on a state championship stage, it was Lori. There was no athlete anywhere who represented what girlís athletics was about or was to become.
She was surely disappointed by not taking that big competitive step in high school, but never to the point that she lost sight of the big picture.
In the spring of 1981 she was invited to speak at a Forest Lake High School All Sports Banquet that honored the schoolís top athletes that year.
A college senior at Moorhead State University that spring, Florhaugís remarks to the community gathering that night reflected on her high school accomplishments and falling short of the state tournament goals.
ìThatís something that stayed with me,î she said that evening, but added a second point that reflected the maturity of someone much older, much wiser. ìWhat good is living if you donít have something to reach for and strive for?î
It was that philosophy that carried her through life and her marriage with a local kid, Tom Motschenbacher, and the children, Kara and Kyle that were born to the union. She always gave it her best, be it with family, community, teaching or summer softball with her friends.
Loriís impact certainly will be much greater than the imprints she left on a sportswriter in the 1970s.
She went on to become a teacher and coach, working for 24 years in the Centennial school district.
The thousands of students and athletes she touched over a quarter of century are the ones who benefit the most.
Just another reason why the world is a much better place today.
A funeral was Saturday in East Bethel. A memorial has been established for a college fund for Kara and Kyle. Contributions may be sent to the Tom Motschenbacher family in care of Roberts-Eckert Funeral Home, 555 SW Centennial Drive, Forest Lake, MN 55025. For more information, call 651-464-4422.
Forest Lake Times
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Forest Lake, MN 55025
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