Anne Mary Saur

Anne Mary Martinsen was born and raised in Halden, Norway. At age 16 she began her training as a tailor in Stockholm, Sweden. Later, she studied physical therapy in Skodsborg, Denmark where she met Kurt Saur, also a PT student. They married in 1954 and a couple years later, embarked on the adventure of emigrating to the US, in spite of Mary not being able to speak a word of English. They first landed in Ardmore Oklahoma, where Mary first encountered flat plains, also peanut butter, pumpkin pie, and 7-up, none of which became culinary favorites.

Next came a few months in Rochester, Minnesota, then Glendale California where their son Rune came along, confirming that Mary’s seasickness on the ocean crossing was rather “morning sickness.” Their daughter Karin was also born in Southern California. Soon they moved to Seattle, but found their best jobs in Spokane, Washington. Mary became the head physical therapist at Shriners Hospital, a job she loved for more than 30 years.

One of her favorite activities was to take a “Viking dip” on early summer mornings with her sister Edith at their Lake Pend Oreille cabin, and snow skiing with her family in the winter kept her connected to her Norwegian roots. Their brother Fritz chose to raise his family in Africa, but they remained close. Mary often recounted how smart and very clever her big brother was.

Being a member of the Spokane Valley Seventh Day Adventist Church for decades and living in the Pacific Northwest (which was similar enough to her hometown in southern Norway), she eventually felt at home: Even successfully encouraging her sister and family to relocate nearby. Her joy was quadrupled with the eventual arrival of four grandchildren, and now four great-grandchildren. Mary and Kurt have celebrated 69 anniversaries together, and even though she was often the one to forget the date, Kurt always called her his girlfriend. Rest in peace mama, til the trumpet sounds and you hear the loud voice of Jesus calling you up from the grave, we will meet again.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Shriners Hospital, which was such a big part of Mary’s life. Mary is survived by her spouse Kurt Saur, son Rune Saur (married to Diane), grandson Kyle Saur (married to Gabrielle), granddaughter Cierra Moses, daughter Karin Anderson (married to Carl), and granddaughters Emily Anderson and Elise Anderson-Zuchowski (married to Adam).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HazenJaegerValley.com for the Saur family.