Dr. Morse, 80, of Spring Valley died with his family surrounding him in love on Saturday, Dec. 9, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester. Death was caused by complications from brain cancer.

Services were held on Tuesday, Dec. 12,2000 at Faith United Methodist Church in Spring Valley at 3 p.m. with Rev. James Ross officiating. Interment was at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with full military rites on Wed., Dec. 13, at 1:30 p.m.

Dr. Morse was born on Nov. 16, 1920 in his parent's home in LeRoy, Minnesota. He was the son of Dr. M.R and Lydia (Oakland) Morse. He married Lavonne Jones in the Methodist Church of Chester, Iowa on June 26, 1949.

He graduated from LeRoy High School in 1938, attended St. Olaf College and graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 1944. He served as a dental officer in the U.S. Navy in the Asiatic Pacific Theater and in the post-war occupation of Japan. He was discharged in 1946 with the rank of Lieutenant S.G.

Dr. Morse was a member of the American Dental Association, Minnesota Dental Association, Southeastern District Dental Society, the Zumbro Valley Dental Society, active in the Delta Sigma Delta Dental fraternity, and director for 9 years of the Delta Dental Plan of Minnesota.

Within the community, Dr. Morse was member and president of the Spring Valley School Board for 11 years, active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club, Commissioner of the Spring Valley Water and Light Commission for 9 years, the Sun Lakes Shrine Club, and was a 50 year member of the Masonic Lodge and the American Legion. He was a member of Faith United Methodist Church and the Root River County Club.

Since retiring in 1988, Dr. and Mrs. Morse have maintained a winter home in Sun Lakes, Arizona.

Dr. Morse is survived by his wife of 51 years, Lavonne, two daughters; Darla (Tom) Vashro of Edina, Minn., Marilyn Christiansen, also of Edina, and son Richard (Mary Kaye) Morse of Dexter, Michigan.

He is also survived by Darla's daughter Briana Saunders and stepdaughters Courtney and Genell Vashro, Marilyn's children: Tyler, Carrie, and Jayne Christiansen, and Richard's children, Anderew and Elizabeth Morse. Also surviving are three brothers; Norval (Margaret) Morse, DDS, of Preston, Minnesota, Keith Morse of North Ft. Myers, Florida, and Roger (Carol) Morse, MD, of LeRoy, and a sister Lois (Charles) Wold of Grand Rapids, Minnesota..

Dr. Morse was an avid golfer, and enjoyed spending time on the course with his golfing friends. He also liked boating, fishing, and travel. He and Lavonne enjoyed many wonderful trips around the world, his favorite being a trip to China and Hong Kong. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, and was very proud of all of them.

Hindt-Hutchins Funeral Home of Spring Valley was in charge of arrangements.

Source: LeRoy Independent Dec. 14, 2000 from the Elma library collection assembled by Marian (Marr) McGee, Transcribed by ABBYY FineReader® 12, Adapted to the web by Bill Waters