Morss, Burton B. 1867 – 1938

MORSS, BUTLER, COOPER, HOUCK, PAINE

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 2/2/2015 at 16:25:26

Decorah Journal January 18, 1938, Page 5

Many Friends Attend Rites Honoring Morss

Funeral Services Were Held Friday Afternoon at Congregational Church

The Congregational church was filled to capacity Friday afternoon as friends gathered at the flower-banked bier of B. B. Morss to pay their respects and listen to words of comfort and reassurance from the lips of Rev. Ralph B. Noyce, Congregational pastor.

Mr. Morss died in the Colonial hospital in Rochester Tuesday evening, Jan. 11, a victim of a severe blood disease. Mr. Morss’ illness was a short one. He became sick nine weeks ago and was confined to his home, steadily growing weaker. January 1 he was taken to Rochester where he was given a blood transfusion and placed in an oxygen tent, but even the best of treatment failed to save his life.

Left to mourn his loss is his wife; two step-children, Gertrude Butler, (Mrs. W. M. Cooper of St. Louis) and Van Orr Butler of Decorah; and one sister, Mrs. C. N. Houck of Decorah.

Everyone knew Mr. Morss and his presence will be missed in the many club organizations in which he participated.

His business career was varied and checkered. In his youth he was a telegraph operator, later he was a bookkeeper at the Winneshiek County bank, salesman and bookkeeper for the Merital Drug company, theatrical booking agent and advance man, and just before his death was cashier of the state liquor store in Decorah.

In club work he was associated with the Great Lights Lodge, No. 181, A. F. & A. M. where he was past master; with King Solomon’s chapter, No. 35, R. A. M., where he was chief high priest; with Beausant Commandry No. 12, where he was secretary; with the Decorah Elks lodge where he was secretary; and with the Oneota Golf and Country club of which he was a member.

Masonic burial services were conducted at the church.

Mrs. W. M. Cooper of St. Louis and S. L. Paine, of St. Paul, a cousin, came to attend the funeral.

Mr. Morss was the son of a pioneering Decorah couple, Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Morss, who came here from Limaville, Ohio, in 1865. His mother returned to Limaville where her father was a physician and Mr. Morss was born there March 4, 1867, and with his mother came to Decorah when he was about three years old. He attended school here.

He was married to Eleanor Butler at the Westminister church in Minneapolis July 25, 1922.

Mr. Morss also was a member of the champion Decorah Drum Corps, which, several years ago, was honored in various sections of the country.

Phelps Cemetery gravestone
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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