Our Beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother, Betty Lou Irene Lawrence Morris, went to be with Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at the age of 90. She was born on February 2, 1933, the eldest daughter of Louis and Doris (Barber) Lawrence in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Betty graduated from Big Sandy High School in 1949, at the age of 16. She attended Northern Montana College in Havre, majoring in Journalism.
Betty's work ethic was evident from a young age, as she began working alongside her father at his printing business in St. Paul at the age of 11 and going to Big Sandy, Montana to set the type for the Big Sandy Mountaineer which he purchased in 1947. Before She married, Betty traveled throughout Montana when someone needed a linotype operator or an editor wanted to take a vacation. Betty continued to work as a printer for various large and small newspapers in Utah, California, Illinois and Montana until 1976 when highly skilled printers were replaced by automation. After her printing career ended, she went on to work for the State of Montana and Spokane County in clerical positions until retiring in 1998. Her contributions to the community were deeply appreciated, and she was known as a hardworking and compassionate member of society.
Betty married Ken Morris on Christmas Day, 1953, in a candlelight ceremony at Christ Lutheran Church in Big Sandy, Montana. The couple had three children, Teryl Lynne born in 1954, Larry born in 1955 and Tanya born in 1957, all born at Sacred Heart Hospital in Havre, Montana.
Betty is survived by her son, Lawrence (Larry) and Debbie Morris; granddaughter, Amanda Morris; grandson Daniel and Amanda Morris and great-grandsons Byron and Vincent Morris; grandson Christopher and Jenna Morris and great-grandsons Jeran and Brody Morris all of Wisconsin; daughter Tanya and David Charles and granddaughter Rayna Charles all of Rosalia, Washington. Betty also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and friends. Betty was predeceased by her daughter, Teryl Lynne Morris who died of polio in 1958, her husband of 50-1/2 years, McKinley H. (Ken) Morris, her parents, Louis and Doris Lawrence, and her sister, Jeannie Nydegger.
Betty was a remarkable woman who will be deeply missed by those who loved her. She was known as Aunt Betty or Grandma Betty to not only her own family but the Charles family as well. She spent countless hours documenting her family's histories as well as her own story.
Services for Betty will be held on May 27, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Rosalia Community Church. Her family invites her friends and loved ones to a Celebration of an Amazing Life. Betty's family has requested that no black clothing be worn, as Betty loved color. Following the service, a lunch will be served in the church fellowship room. For those who are not able to attend in person, the Celebration of Life will be live-streamed, and a Zoom invitation can be obtained by contacting Tanya at tanyadavidc@yahoo.com. Betty's final resting place will be alongside her daughter, Teryl Lynne, her husband, Ken, and her parents in Big Sandy, Montana.
Betty's family would like to give a special thank you to her caregivers, Alecia Schaffer and Thelma Teal. You were always there with a smile and compassion even when Betty could be a bit stubborn. Also special thanks to Pastor Mike and Lisa Hill for your visits and prayers through difficult times.
In lieu of flowers, Betty's family has graciously requested that donations be made to the Rosalia Fire Department, PO Box 291, Rosalia WA 99170, which took such excellent and compassionate to her. Contributions can also be made to the Rosalia Community Church, PO Box 202, Rosalia WA 99170, which Betty held dear to her heart. Betty will be greatly missed by those who knew her and her memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved her.
