Anne Marie Amato        May 19, 1946 – March 1, 2024

Long-time area resident and locally known artist, Anne Marie Amato, 77, of rural Bovey, died Friday, March 1, 2024, with her family by her side at Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth.

Born to Jesse F. George and Isabel F. (Olson) George in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, in May 1946, Anne was an adoring baby sister to three older siblings and a proud big sister to four younger siblings. Anne attended Central School and St. Joseph's Catholic School before joining the class of 1964 at Grand Rapids High School. Following graduation, Anne earned a Blandin Foundation Scholarship which allowed her to attend Itasca Community College where she studied various art mediums, including ceramics, sculpture, and painting.

A married, and then single, mother of two at a young age, Anne initially worked for J.C. Penney's, where she had fun dressing up for Crazy Days and enjoyed opportunities to create enticing store window displays. Following a move to Hibbing, Anne began what would be a decades-long career for the mining supply company, Charter, Inc., quickly working her way from administrative assistant to office manager.

An active participant in Parents Without Partners (PWP), she eventually found love with another PWP member, Joseph Amato. Their shared appreciation of music, art, and nature was evident from the start, and they had a lot of fun attending dance band gigs together. They were married on May 22, 1978, and enjoyed life alongside Lawrence Lake, complete with a small cattle farm and a blended family.

While busy with her own work, Anne still found time to support her children in their endeavors. Whether at home or at hockey games, in the kitchen or in the auditorium at band concerts, she encouraged her children to work hard and do their best. Her love of her country was second to her love for her children, and she was most proud when she could say she was a Navy Mom and an Air Force Mom.

For almost her entire life she lived on the Iron Range, but shortly after Joe's passing in 2001, a company merger with Champion, Inc. relocated her position to Iron Mountain, Michigan. Though a hardship, she followed her dedicated, diligent nature and moved alone to the Upper Peninsula where she continued to work as a Purchasing Agent for several years.

While living in Michigan, she was inspired by the works of world-renowned Dale Chihuly. This led to her pursuit of a new art medium, kiln-fused glass, and started her on the path to her own art business, ColorWheel. It wasn't long before she began showing her work at area art shows and was soon invited to exhibit at several events, including juried shows. Her most cherished award was earned at the Dickenson County 'Art for All' show; she proudly displayed her First-Place ribbon but was more pleased by the invitation to create the awards which the winning art students would take home the following year.

Retirement saw Anne return to the Minnesota lake where she focused on her life-long talent creating works of art. Hands adept with pen, brush, palette, and kiln, Anne expressed her love of God and the world via color and form, primarily using paints, canvas, material, and glass. She most appreciated majestic pines nested with bald eagles, lake-skimming loon pairs, and ocean beaches with admiring gulls. An integral part of the Whispering Woods gallery at Central School, Grand Rapids, she enjoyed working and developing friendships with other area artists.

A voracious reader, staunch conservative, US military supporter, and believer in Jesus Christ as Savior, she was happiest participating in the rural Christian churches of Lawron Township and Balsam, Minnesota. Quilting, keeping prayer chains going for the sick, hurt, and needy, and discussing the Bible became her mainstays. Even in her own struggles, she tried to be a light to others; her volunteer time as scheduler and greeter with the local AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program allowed her to be a friendly voice and face to those who needed assistance.

Anne was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren, but she was equally proud of all her extended family and friends. She excitedly shared the wide-ranging accomplishments of others with anyone who would listen. If she heard about your good works, chances are the rest of us also knew about them!

Anne was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joseph Amato; brothers, Tom West and Richard George; sisters, Bess Hammond, Bonnie LaFrenierre and Nancy Rudd; sisters-in-law, Darlene Mejdrich, Peggy Amato and Diane Amato; and niece, Angie Mejdrich Tofflemeyer. She is survived by her children, Randy (Debra) Amato and Renee (James) Taylor; grandchildren, Megan and Nicole Amato, and Isabel, Joey, and Henry Taylor; brothers, Andrew (Linda) George and Timothy (Beth) George; sister-in-law, Donna Mattson; brothers-in-law, Rick Rudd, Bob Amato, and Terry Mejdrich; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is survived by her children, Randy (Debra) Amato, and Renee (James) Taylor; grandchildren, Megan and Nicole Amato, and Isabel, Joey, and Henry Taylor; and brothers Andrew (Linda) George and Timothy (Beth) George; sister-in-law Donna Mattson; brothers-in-law Rick Rudd, Bob Amato, and Terry Mejdrich; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at Balsam Bible Chapel. Visitation will be at 10:00am, and funeral service at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to House of Hope: La Pointe, a family-oriented medical and long-term care center in Haiti, and a cause dear to Anne's heart. Donation checks should be made payable to Balsam Bible Chapel; please note House of Hope: La Pointe on the memo line of your check. Mail donations to Balsam Bible Chapel; 41516 Scenic Highway; Bovey MN 55709.

Arrangements are with the Rowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, MN. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.