Obituary of Clara A. Morris

none Clara A. Morris Born June 22, 1920 Died January 27, 2006 Clara A. Morris was born on June 22, 1920 in Greekcreek, Idaho, the oldest of 10 children born to Frank and Anna (Koepl) Nuxoll. She died peacefully at St. Peter’s Hospital with her daughter, Ann, and son-in-law, Don at her side. Her mind was sharp to the moment she died, but her old body simply wore out. Clara grew up on a farm in Idaho and drove the horse and buggy (or sleigh in the winter) to school in Cottonwood, Idaho. She had many fascinating tales about her childhood. Her family didn’t have electricity or indoor plumbing while she was growing up, and the chamber pot and outhouse stories were always interesting to hear. Her father made moonshine whiskey during the prohibition. Of course, the whiskey also had medicinal purposes and effectively killed head lice as Clara innocently told the nuns at her Catholic grade school! Her father employed the kids to organically control pests on the farm. They were paid a small fee for the number of potato bugs they could collect and Clara loved to tell about the problems her little brother had counting the bugs before they crawled away. Clara made fabulous pies, cookies, and cinnamon rolls, having learned to cook at an early age. Her first job was living with another farming family and helping with the cooking for the harvest crew. She had to get up early every day and make many loaves of bread and several pies; later helping with the huge meal for the men in the field. She spent a short time in Wisconsin with her sister, working at a mitten factory sewing trigger finger gloves for the troops during World War II. Clara saved a glove in her trunk so we could see some of her history. Clara moved to Portland, Oregon and worked as a waitress at the Silk Hat Café. She loved waitress work and was good at it, too! A cousin told her how great tips were at the Governor House Hotel during Legislature, so she moved to Olympia in 1943. What Clara didn’t realize before beginning her work was that the kitchen was on a different level than the dining room. Around that time she clipped out an article from the newspaper stating most waitresses walk 22 miles during their shift, and most of her miles were up and down stairs! Shortly after moving to Olympia, she met Ed Morris (Charles Edward Morris), fell in love and married him on May 14, 1949. They bought a house and stayed in that same house the rest of their lifetime. Together they had three children: Ann Lewis, Marie Morris, and Nancy Phillips. Charles Edward and Marie Morris preceded Clara in death. Clara was a skilled homemaker and sold Watkins baking products for several years. Nothing but Watkins cinnamon and vanilla would do for her baked goods. She was famous for her home-made goods and canning--especially her blackberry wine and pickles. Donald Gregor, Clara’s oldest grandchild, had these fond memories: Grandma was able to love in ways only a grandma could. Many of my most vivid childhood memories take place at Grandma's house. Walking into the kitchen with the aroma of dill in the air, stovetop littered with pots of boiling jars, and Grandma with her apron on hard at work creating her amazing pickles. Grandma always made sure everyone had plenty to eat by insisting you take that third helping of potatoes to finish them off. If I happened to just stop by to say hello,” one of the first questions she would ask me was if I had eaten yet and offered to make me something. The cookies simply were what touched my heart the most. It meant so much to me to receive a tub of my favorite soft molasses cookies from Grandma. I cherish each and every quilt she made for me and her grand children. Grandma was there on my very first fishing trip (even though she couldn’t swim and was terrified of water). The long road trips to Idaho. Going in the old Ford to pick Grandpa up and filling its bed entirely full, but always making it home just fine. Grandma was always there for me and I know she loved me dearly. I love you, Grandma, and I will cherish all the wonderful memories you helped in creating. We all share Donald’s feelings. Clara was passionate about quilting and regularly entered her blankets in county fairs, often receiving blue ribbons for her hard work. She also ensured any baby entering the world within her circle of family and friends could lay their head on one of her gingham crib quilts. Her quilts were fashioned with love to warm our hearts as well as our bodies. Clara was a member of St. Michael’s Church for 59 years and a member of Catholic Daughters and Altar Society for over 50 years. She was also a long-term member of the Rosarian Guild. She had many dear friends and spoke fondly of them. Family always came first to Clara and she especially enjoyed her grandchildren Donald Gregor, Monica Lewis and Teresa Lewis; and her great grandchildren Sydney Gregor and Anderson Gregor. Her love was unconditional. Nancy, her youngest daughter, wanted to share her thoughts with everyone: I have so many good and kind and lovely memories of my Mom. I remember 1962 when we went to the World’s Fair in Seattle and waited in line for four hours to ride to the top of the Space Needle. When we finally got to the top, I had to go to the bathroom and Mom said, “I thought I told you to do go before.” That day, Dad won a huge stuffed dog that was as big as I was. I remember getting lost for a bit – turning around and Mom and Dad were gone. When Ann and I made cookies, we ate so much of the cookie dough and Mom wondered why there were hardly any baked cookies. I remember when I brought Donald home from the hospital and having a dinner at Mom’s with Ann and Don and my grandparents. How loving and caring she was to her grandchildren and how she was always there for them. Mom was always helping me out when I needed it, if it was financial or emotional. I always knew my Mother loved me. Our family has so many more stories we could share. Clara was a very special lady. Clara is survived by her daughters, Ann Lewis (Don), Nancy Phillips (Alan); three grandchildren: Donald Gregor, Monica Lewis (Tyra Schenaurlt), and Teresa Lewis; two great grandchildren, Syndey Gregor and Anderson Gregor; four brothers: Bart Nuxoll and Lloyd Nuxoll from Greencreek, Idaho, Donald Nuxoll from Appleton, WI, and Art Nuxoll from Hayden, Idaho; three sisters: Isabelle West from Appleton, WI, Alice Kowalski from Keuterville, ID, Pauline Frei, Cottonwood, ID. Clara Ann Nuxoll Morris had many friends and she will be missed.