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MORRELL, Blanche S. c1920-2008

MORRELL, SMITH, BRADLEY

Posted By: K. Kittleson (email)
Date: 8/19/2008 at 20:05:27

Blanche Morrell died peacefully at her home in Owatonna, Minnesota, on August 16, 2008. She was born Blanche Alice Smith the daughter of Bert and Ruth (Bradley) Smith on a farm near Larkinburg, Kansas, in the same home where her father and older sister were born.

The family moved to Horton, Kansas, where she grew up and graduated from high school. She graduated from the University of Kansas (KU) with a B.A. in Mathematics in 1941.

Also at KU she met her husband, Thomas Herbert Morrell, and they were married in Washington, D.C. on Christmas Day, 1941. They spent their first three years in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where she worked in the Accounting Department at Remington Arms and daughter Judith Rae was born.

In 1944 they moved to Charles City, Floyd county, Iowa, where they lived for 21 years and son Dennis Glen and daughter Rebecca Jane were born. In 1965 they moved to Prospect Heights where she enjoyed working as an Accountant in a bank in Mt. Prospect.

When they moved to Owatonna in May, 1970, Blanche quickly got involved in activities at
Associated Church, American Association of University Women, Women’s Club, and was a
charter member of Chapter DZ of P.E.O. When her husband began his consulting career, she worked together with him as his secretary and accountant. They traveled to Europe,

China, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Scandinavian Countries, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, and enjoyed a cruise through the Panama Canal.

When her husband Herbert died in 1996 he had nearly completed a book about his experiences designing Oliver tractors. With her daughter Judy she was able to complete the book, Oliver Farm Tractors, which was published by Motorbooks in October, 1997, and sold over 8,000 copies.

She will be remembered for the beautiful sweaters she knitted, her skill as a rofessional accountant and volunteer treasurer, her many warm friendships, and her wonderful laugh.

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her two sisters and her brother.

She is survived by daughters Judy Lumb of Caye Caulker, Belize, and Becky (Ron) Schmitz of Fairfield, Iowa, son Dennis (Barbara) Morrell of Hockessin, Del., six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service is scheduled to be held on Saturday, September 6, 2008. Michaelson Funeral Homes, Inc. of Owatonna, Minn., (507) 451-7943, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

[Original obituary posted online at www.charlescitypress.com, Aug. 19, 2008]


 

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