Esther Lavina Mae Morris

Esther Lavina Mae Morris, 90, passed away on Sunday, January 15, at St. Margaret’s Hospital in Spring Valley, IL.  A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 2 PM at the First Congregational Church of La Salle, IL at 502 Joliet Street.  Fellowship time with family and friends will take place prior to the Celebration of Life, from 12:00-2:00 PM.  

Esther was born on March 3, 1932, in Rutland, IL to Delbert and Ruth (Arndt) Baker, as the 9^th of 11 children.  She graduated from Wenona High School and married Louis Herman Morris, Sr. on April 21, 1951.  They spent their life together in the Illinois Valley and had six children.  Esther was committed to and loved spending time with her family and friends; along with playing cards, games, Bingo, puzzles, watching sports, especially “her” Dodgers, and lived her life to the fullest.  She always had a smile and an appreciation for all the blessings (and a few crosses to bear- you know who you are) in her life.  She was an active, life-long member of the First Congregational Church of La Salle.

She is survived by  her children Louis (Lois) Morris, Jr., Cindy Lou (Don) Myers, Harvey (Guilherme Teixeira) Morris, Sam (Kim) Morris, and Harold Morris, her son-in-law David (Connie) Doty, her grandchildren Trisha (Mark) Bullard, Matt (Teneal) Doty, Rachel (Adam) Benda, Zoe (Michael) Solomon, Brandon Morris, Madison (Jesse Shoemaker) Myers, Stephen Morris, Nathaniel Morris, and Collin Morris, along with 8.5 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren.  Two sisters, Wilma Schroeder and Hetta Grasser also survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lou, daughter Jean Doty, and eight of her siblings. 

In lieu of flowers, Esther would prefer that you honor her memory by spending more time with your loved ones and lending a helping hand to those that are less fortunate.  Memorials may be directed to Boys Town (support.boystown.org) or the Road Home Program for Veterans at Rush Medical Center (roadhomeprogram.org/donations/).   

Ptak Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at PtakFH.com