Garnett Marie Morris
September 28, 2009
Garnett Marie Stratton Morris was born May 28, 1916 to Glen and Rose (Jensen) Stratton on a farm near Fernald (Story Co.) Iowa. She passed away Monday, September 28, 2009 at Ramsey Village in Des Moines, IA.
She attended school in Fernald for the first three years and then transferred to Richland #9 County School through 8th grade. She graduated from Nevada High School with the Class of 1933.
She worked for Reuben H. Donnely Corp. until WWII when she went to work for U.S. Rubber at the Ankeny Ordnance Plant doing clerical work. After the death of her father in 1943, she returned to Nevada to work in the Nevada National Bank. In March of 1944, her fiancé, David "Dick" Morris returned from the Pacific War Zone where he had been for three years with the U.S. Marines. They were married on April 9, 1944. She joined him in California until his return to the Pacific again and she returned to Nevada until his return in 1947. They eventually settled in Des Moines, IA in 1950. They had two sons, Ray and Rex.
Garnett was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church where she was active in teaching Sunday School, Lutheran Church Women's Global Mission Committee, representative to DMARC, Lutheran Hospital Auxiliary, the Quilters Group and was a charter member of St. John’s Altar Guild. She was also elected as a member of the Elders of St. John's. She enjoyed reading, traveling and also doing crafts. She retired after 20 years of service with the I.R.S. as a Taxpayer Representative.
Her survivors are her sons, Ray Morris of Windsor Heights and Rex (Joanie) Morris of Colona, IL; sister, Jeanne Stratton Painter of Des Moines; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Lois Stratton of Dyers, WI, Merrill and Darlene Morris of Des Moines and Lester and Ruth Morris of Elkhart, IA, Doris Slack of Tulsa, OK, Clayton and MaryLou Waterbury of Sergeant Bluff, IA; and a host of nieces and nephews; granddaughters, Brandi (Calvin) Muelhaupt of Urbandale, Suzi (Ted) Loeffeholz of Oswego, IL and Heather Spahnie of Colona, IL; great-grandchildren, Jacqui, Marley Belle and Josie Ann Muelhaupt of Urbandale, Hannah and Ethan Loeffelholz of Oswego, IL, Parker Jai Magness and Brynn Katherine Coats of Colona, IL; and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband David "Dick" Morris; brothers, Arthur and Galen "Fritz" Stratton; daughter-in-law, Judy Morris; sister-in-law, Lois Stratton; and one son at birth, Alan.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 3, 2009 at St. John's Lutheran Church, with burial to follow at the Nevada Municipal Cemetery in Nevada, IA. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Hamilton's Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street.
Memorial contributions may be made to her church.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Janet Epstein
10/01/2009
I am so sorry for your loss. Garnett touched my heart, and Avonelle will really miss her as a roommate and a friend!
It seems that her death has ended a difficult time for all of you. I can only imagine that it will take time to adjust to it finally being over.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you along with our deepest sympathy.
Bob & Barb Miller
10/01/2009
Our sympathy to Rex, Ray, and your families. Your mother was a very special lady. She touched the lives of so many people. She certainly touched ours. We have many, many fond memories of her and of Dick. They were the best. And whenever we wanted to know what was going on anywhere in the family, she was the one to ask, because she kept in contact with all of us. She will be missed.
Dave & Cindy Peterson
09/30/2009
Joanie, Rex & family - We want to extend our sympathy to your family in your time of loss. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Mom's are one-of-a-kind. With deepest sympathy, Dave & Cindy Peterson.
Denise Boyles
09/30/2009
Rex, Joanie & Family - You all are in my thoughts and prays during this time of loss. I know you will deeply miss your mom.
Jeremiah A. Lynch
09/30/2009
We want to extend our sincere sympathy to you and your family during this difficult time. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. With Sympathy - Jeremiah & Suzanne Lynch - Davenport, Ia.
Shirley Odinas
09/29/2009
Ray, Rex,Joannie, and Jeanne, our thoughts and prayers are with you as always. She was a grand lady, and a wonderful and thoughtful aunt. She'll be greatly missed. I know Uncle Dick is happy to see her. I will be with you Friday and Saturday.
Lois Cooper
09/29/2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Ray & Rex and your families.
I was 1st cousin of your Dad's and you might remember my Mom ( Mid Hawkins)
better than me. Your mom was a very special person to me.
Lois Cooper
Pendleton, IN