"My condolences to Dave & Randy on the lose of their brother. I remember Rick well and fondly from both Wales Lincoln & Nishna Valley school days. I wish to provide you with a poem that perhaps provides some perspective as you struggle to understand. Jerry & Cindy Mabary I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says; ??There, she is gone!? Gone here? Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: ??There, she is gone!? there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: ??Here she comes!? And that is dying Henry Van Dyke "
In loving memory of
Richard "Rick" Morris
February 20, 2008
Richard Dennis Morris, one of five children of Roberta Marie (Pendegraft) Morris and Jake David Morris, was born November 2, 1949 in Red Oak, Iowa. Rick and his family lived on a farm near Wales, Iowa. He attended school at Wales-Lincoln until 1960 when the family moved to a farm near Henderson, Iowa. Rick graduated from Nishna Valley High School in 1967. He attended Iowa Western Community College in Clarinda, Iowa and later the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.
Rick moved to Omaha, Nebraska where he worked for Graybar Electric. In 1971, Rick and Jackie Fithen were married and were blessed with their children, Nathan Jacob and Cory Leigh. Rick was transferred to Des Moines, Iowa and later moved to Shenandoah, Iowa where he began working as a machinist at the Eaton Corporation.
In 1976, Rick and Vicki Whitehill were married and this marriage was blessed with two daughters, Leigh Noel and Katherine Marie.
Rick and Johanna Swanson were married in 1988. Rick worked 23 years for the Eaton Corporation until his health forced him to retire in 2001.
Rick was a member of the Henderson Christian Church. He was a Charter member of the Henderson Hornets 4-H Club, of which his father was the Club's first leader. His many enjoyments included playing softball, hunting and fishing.
Rick died at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak on February 20, 2008, at the age of 58 years, 3 months, and 18 days. He was preceded in death by his father, Jake Morris, and sister, Lou Ann Stensvad. He is survived by his mother, Roberta Morris of Emerson, IA; children, Nathan Morris of Council Bluffs, IA, Cory Gordon and husband Dan of Riverton, IA, Leigh Morris and Katherine Long and husband Jason, all of Shenandoah; sister Barbara Brown of Council Bluffs; brothers David Morris and wife Dortha of McCook, NE, and Randall Morris and wife Leslie of Waverly, IA; seven grandchildren; nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
Interment in the Farm Creek Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established.
Tributes
" Was so sorry to hear about Rick's passing. We went to Wales together and had loss touch til lately. We talk about the "good old days" when I stopped by the station in Emerson. Really enjoyed those visits. Know he will be greatly missed by family and friends. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Ruth Anne (Nelson) Dawson"
"I am sorry to hear about Rick. Some of my fondest and most cherished memories of living in southwest Iowa for over three decades are of the times spent hunting with Rick. I am glad to have shared many happy days afield with him. I am also happy that he is being laid to rest in Farm Creek Cemetery - a spot so close to the "home place" and near the land he so dearly loved. May you rest in peace old friend. Sincerely, Bill Bone "
"To the Family of Rick Morris: I was saddened to hear of Rick's passing. I had not seen nor heard about him since high school, but I certainly remember him well as a team mate on our Nishna Valley football team from the mid-sixties. My sympathies to all of you, his family. "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return"--Genesis 3 "
"We want to extend our deepest sympathy in the loss of your family member. During this time of sorrow we learn how much our family and friends mean to us. Know that our prayers and thoughts are with the family at this difficult time."
"TO THE FAMILY: Sorry to hear of Rick's death. May the Lord be watching over you in your time of sorrow & mourning. Jim Johnson, High School Classmate "
"So sorry for your loss. I took care of Rick when he was in ICCU. He was such a nice man. I enjoyed taking care of him. Hold on to the memories of him to help you through this difficult time. CHERYEL SHUTTERS CNA@MCMH"
"Cory, I just learned of your loss thru Mom and wanted to let you know that I was thinking of you. If you need anything at this time of loss please do not hesitate to ask us. Love, Larry and Gina Battey"