Motzko General Store
The family roots began in Poland. Franz and Maria Motzko (Rybarczyk) departed Opole County in Poland on May 16, 1868 and arrived in New York, June 2,1868 on the ship Borussia. They migrated through Chicago and settled in Franklin Township, Delano, MN. They had six children, Julianna (1860), Rosalia (1862), John(1864), Charles(1865), Nicholas (1870), and Simon (1875).
Franz was a farmer, as listed on a 1880 Census of Delano. Charles married Anna Janikula in 1886 and had a son, Frank. Then moved to Minneapolis where he operated several salons through 1904. Anna passed away in 1904 at St. Barnabas Hospital in Minneapolis from appendicitis. Charles moved back to Delano and married Frances Farniok Patrzek, and had a son, Charles Jr. A 1910 census lists Charles Sr. as a saloon operator in Delano. Franz (1894) and Maria (1916) were laid to rest at St.Mary’s of Częstochowa, Delano.
Around 1915 Charles Sr. built Motzko’s Store on the corner of Rockford Ave and Babcock Blvd (Hwy 12). Charles Sr., Frances, and son Charles Jr. made their residence above the store. Frances passed away on Charles’s 21st birthday at the store.
Charles Jr. and Charles Sr. 1920’s
Motzko’s Store 1930’s
Charles Jr. met Frances Levno who was visiting Delano from South Dakota on Fourth of July weekend in 1935. After a six-month letter correspondence courtship they were married in Grenville, South Dakota in January 1936. They moved to Delano and they made their home at the store. Unfortunately, it coincided with the coldest winter and the hottest summer heat wave ever recorded, reaching 108 degrees with eight days over 100 degrees, and 14 days straight over 90 degrees.
They started a family with Fran (1937) and Gloria (1939). Gloria was born at the store! Then followed Delores (1943), the twins Chuck and Stan (1946), and finally John (1952). Charles Sr. passed away on February 16,1940 and Frances lost both her parents in 1942 and 1943.
The eight member family lived above the store in an area under 500 sq. ft, but growing up it didn’t seem that small. All the kids worked in the store, but there was still time to play. Across Rockford Ave. was a large lawn area at the Delano Creamery which doubled as a play area. Behind the store was the Crow River which was the main attraction, even though the kids were told not to play by it. Before the dike was built, there was an island right before the railroad bridge, which provided hours of entertainment. The river also became a shortcut to St. Peter School, which all the kids attended through eighth grade.
There are countless stories of growing up at the store, too many to list here, maybe someday a book.
The main structure of the 18 x 28 two story building was rebuilt in 1926 because of the creation of US Hwy 12. It had a 12'x'18 ice house attached in back, which was made into a kitchen in the 1960s. The store eventually had a bar, groceries, and gas pumps.
Charles, Frances, Fran, Gloria, and Dee. 1945
In the early years, the store was closed on Mondays for family picnics and fishing.
The Motzko’s in 1954, Gloria still playing violin at Mass at St. Louis Bertrand Catholic Church in Foreston, MN.
The heart and soul of Motzko’s Store was Charles Jr., known as Charlie. He hand-painted sale signs on the windows and made countless signs in the store. Charlie had the gift of gab, telling jokes, stories, and exaggerating tales of fish catches. He could sell ice to eskimos. “Hello Bud and Hello Ma'am” were familiar greetings. Other favorites were “I don’t like the way you comb your hair” or he would point to his bicep and say “Instant Death,” all with a smile on his face. He was the king of schmoozing.
Traditions of making floats for Fourth of July parade was a family project -- usually a last minute decision.
The store survived a few floods, before the dike was built in 1969.
The little store on the highway was home for Motzko’s until the early 1980’s when Charles and Frances moved to a house on Woodland Road remodeled by Chuck and John.
On July 9, 1987 Charlie passed away a day after Frances’s birthday.
The store went through many changes to a convenience store, floral gift shop, and coffee house. John, Chuck, and Dee ran things for a while, and finally, Dee’s son Mark along with his wife Gina Kosek had it last.
On January 27, 2007, Frances passed away, uniting with Charlie and his parents at St. Joseph Cemetery, Delano.
On November 24, 2007 the building that stood on the same corner for more than 90 years, closed its doors for the last time, due to a decision by the city to remove all the homes and businesses on the east side of Hwy 12.
In keeping with family business in town, Chuck and Linda Motzko started Linda’s Photography in Delano over 40 years ago, which is being carried on by their daughter, Megan Lideen. Sadly, in August of 2022, Chuck lost his fight with cancer.
So now the store and all its stories are just memories that we keep alive in our hearts. It was not just the little store on the highway, it was home.