Mary Morrison

Mary Cecelia Morrison 89, entered into rest on March 24, 2012 at her home in Corning, Iowa surrounded in love by her family.
Mary, the daughter of Ernest and Grayce (McCarty) Ury was born April 4, 1922 in Wiota, Iowa where she attended school and graduated in 1939.
She married John Clinton Morrison on August 16, 1941 at St. Ballermine Catholic Church in Burbank, Calif. While living in Californina, Mary worked as a dental assistant. Mary and J.C. returned to Massena, Iowa to farm, moving to Corning in 1950 where they lived the rest of their married lives. In their marital union of 66 years, they were blessed with seven children.
For many years, she served as assistant deputy treasurer for Adams County. In 1969, J.C. and Mary moved from the farm to their current residence in Corning. That same year, while continuing to farm, they went to work for Terra Western Fertilizer Company where Mary was involved in every aspect of the business until they retired in the late 1980s.
Mary had many passions in her life. She and J.C. loved to travel, whether it was a golf trip south, out to visit a family member or maybe one of their daily drives to admire the crops and livestock. Her love for the game of golf was unmatched, with much compassion and a big dash of competiveness! Many of Marys fondest memories were playing best ball or 4 ball tournaments with her dear golf buddies. She also loved the outdoors, especially tending her beautiful flower gardens. She was a wonderful homemaker known for her delicious homemade bread and sewing clothes for her family. She was an avid reader and volunteered at the elementary school helping the children with their reading.
Mary lived her faith and will be remembered as always willing to lend a hand, offer a smile, and give of herself to brighten someones day. She worked tirelessly for those less fortunate. She was instrumental in helping organize the ecumenical Christmas Angel program, which provided gifts and food to families at Christmas time. Mary had a deep, empathetic love for people and believed she was put on earth to serve, not to be served. She patiently made time to mentor and share her faith to those around her.
Mary served St Patricks Catholic Church as a Religious Education teacher for 55 years, many of those years holding class in her home. In 2007, St. Marys Press recognized her with a nationwide Ambassador of Christ award as someone who “touched the heart of teens”. Mary also served the church as lector, extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and a dedicated member of the St Patricks Altar Society.
She will be remembered as a good friend who easily made her way into your heart. Mary was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother whose greatest joy in life was spending time with her family and her dear friends.
Left to cherish her memory are her sons: Bill (Kathy) Morrison, Matt (Diane) Morrison, both of Corning, IA, Tom (Maria) Morrison of Council Bluffs, IA; daughters: Connie (Bill) Russell of Anita, IA, Monica (Jim) Hughes of Glenwood, IA, Mary Jo “Jody” (Mike) Hughes of Council Bluffs, IA, Colleen “Peppy” Kamerzell (friend Jay Malone) of Council Bluffs, IA; brother, Richard Glen Ury of Aumsville, Oregon; sister-in-Law, Helen Coughlin Morrison of Omaha, NE; twenty three grandchildren; thirty-seven great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; her very special homecare givers, hospice nurses, and many friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, J.C. in 2008; grandson, Jeff Kresnik, and her brothers: Merle and Leo Ury.