"So many memories over so much time , filled with fondness and gratitude. The Fishbaugh Clan will forever hold dear the Morris Family. Much love, thoughts and prayers: - Vince, Betty, Terri, Amy and Tiffany"
In loving memory of
Katherine Elaine Morris
June 2, 1941 - March 12, 2023
Katie was born in Safford, Arizona on June 2nd, 1941, to Parley Wourth and Lorene Holladay Kelly and the second of two daughters. Her family moved to Norton Air Force base in Long Beach, California, when she was very young. At the end of WWII, they moved back to Arizona and settled in Glendale near her grandfather's small farm and later moved into town near Glendale Elementary School.
Katie excelled in school, making good grades and lifelong friends. While attending Glendale Union High School she was very involved in school clubs and organizations. Some of her achievements included being the editor of the yearbook her Senior year, a member of the Varsity Pom Pom team, Senior and Junior class treasurer, the Harvest Queen and the Daughters of the American Revolution Candidate. She had beautiful penmanship and loved to read.
Even though Katie was born in Safford a few years after Dan and just a few streets away, they never met until they both lived in Glendale. Dan was 16 years old when he moved into her local church congregation where he saw the boys teasing a cute redhead with a ponytail, pulling the ribbons from her hair and thought she was so pretty. Two years later when she turned 16, they began dating. Katie was beautiful and quite popular, it would take some effort to gain and keep her attention. Dan was a farm boy of little means, many chores, and a car that always needed repairs but he had many big dreams.
Katie loved to dance which prompted Dan to learn. They went to many school dances and proms together. Dan wanted to see what Katie thought of his farm life, so he invited her to spend an evening date with him on the dairy farm. Dan was showing her how to use a pitchfork to move silage and hay, but she accidentally hit Dan in the forehead with that pitchfork, luckily it did not make a mark or a dent.
They were married in the Mesa Arizona LDS Temple on June 17th, 1960. They drove off in his 1960 Corvair and began their life together 63 years ago.
Less than a year after their marriage, Dan enlisted to serve in the Air Force during the Vietnam war. This took them to Texas, California and eventually to Grand Forks, North Dakota Air Force Base where their first daughter, Sharon, was born during a blizzard. After their adventures in the military they moved to Tucson, Arizona where Elizabeth was born while Dan attended Law School. Pamela and Carolyn rounded out the family of four girls as the family moved to Phoenix, Litchfield Park and then settled in Moon Valley.
Katie served humbly in many church leadership callings including Stake and Ward Primary President, as well as Ward Relief Society and Young Women's counselor. She also served by Dan's side as he held many church leadership callings that required substantial time and dedication from both of them. They were instrumental in the open house events held in preparation for the Phoenix Arizona LDS temple and later served together as temple workers.
Katie has a deep love for her Savior Jesus Christ and a firm testimony of his matchless life. She loved to go to church as a young girl. She would walk the four blocks to church meetings, including morning seminary classes with her sister when her parents stopped attending.
She has always been so classy, witty, kind and a powerhouse for good. We continued to see her wit and concern for us on many occasions even when speaking became limited and difficult. She has been greatly loved by her adoring husband, their four daughters, 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
We know that she is finally free of any disabling effects and is with her Father in Heaven and Savior Jesus Christ. She is survived by her husband Dan, her daughters Sharon (Max Powell), Elizabeth (Burke Whipple), Pamela (Andy Rapier), and Carolyn (West Hunsaker). She is preceded in death by her parents, Parley and Lorene Kelly, her sister, Arleen Hopkins (Don) and her son-in-law Andy Rapier.
Katie's funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 25th at 11:00am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 325 W Coral Gables Dr, Phoenix, Arizona, with a viewing that morning from 9:30am - 10:45am. A private burial service will take place at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Arrangements are under the direction of Hansen Mortuary. A link for the services will be available at https://vimeo.com/event/3164617