Darlene Morrison

Darlene Morrison, daughter of Hy and Hannah (Muller) Witkop, was born February 8, 1929 in rural Monroe, South Dakota and passed away at Edgewood Vista in Norfolk, Nebraska on January 2, 2019 at the age of 89. A celebration of her life will be officiated by step son-in-law, Rev. Dr. K. Lowell Gaither. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Yankton. Darlene grew up on a farm in the Monroe, South Dakota area. She attended school in Humboldt from grades 6-12 then took the train to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to interview for a job---she got a very good one at Union Bank in the savings department where she worked for many years. On March 22, 1950, Darlene married LeRoy Meves in Hartford, South Dakota. LeRoy died of leukemia on March 12, 1965. In 1967, Darlene and Dwight Morrison of Clearwater, Nebraska met on a Hawaiian cruise and were married April 15, 1968 in Sioux Falls. They lived on the Clearwater farm and wintered in the desert near Rio Verde, Arizona. Upon retirement in 1995, they built a home on Lewis and Clark Lake near Crofton, Nebraska where they enjoyed the lake view and the wildlife. Dwight died July 6, 2009. Following is a composite of many people’s memories of Darlene: Darlene loved animals and always had pets that she lovingly cared for. Birds were lucky to be in her neighborhood. She preferred being outdoors and had beautiful flower gardens and for a few years she and a grandson had a garden together. She was a great cook (especially pot roast and pies were mentioned), and joyfully hosted family and friends at the farm, the lake and the desert. There was always something wonderful on the table and there was ALWAYS dessert. As a young woman she sang in the Church Choir (and tap-danced, she tells us). She enjoyed Minneapolis shopping trips with her friend, Marian. She had a great flair for decorating her homes. She had fashion sense and an eye for beautiful things. Music was important. Darlene laughed and giggled a lot, was good-natured, and good to all the “kids”, grandkids and great grandkids. She had wonderful stories to tell and she had the gift of listening and watching which gave her much insight. She knew what she wanted and went about it with enthusiasm. She was a member of the Neligh, Nebraska PEO chapter. Darlene’s impact and influence will forever remain with many. Thanks to Sara and Edgewood Vista in Norfolk---Darlene was happy there, and they cared for her well. Darlene is survived by step-children: Frank (Lynn) Morrison of Clearwater, NE; Barbara (Rev. Dr. K. Lowell) Gaither of Lincoln, NE and Virginia (Merle) Larson of Yankton, SD; grandchildren and families, Brett (Dorian) Morrison and children: Emme, Owen and Isla; Kara Morrison (Ron Hansen) and daughter: Sofia; David Gaither and children: Grace and Gavin; Michael (Dr. Felicia) Gaither and son: Langston; Andrea (Ryan) Phillips and children: Ty, Jada and Stella; Brad Larson and son: Lucas; Julie Mudry and children: David and Kt; Jill Larson; and niece, Debra (Michael) Bliven. Darlene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dwight Morrison; husband, LeRoy Meves; brother, Rodney Witkop; a nephew; aunts and uncles. To send an online message to the family, please visit www.wintzrayfuneralhome.com.