Avis Joy Anderson Morell

Birth

27 May 1930

Benkelman, Dundy County, Nebraska, USA

Death

14 Jul 2016 (aged 86)

McCook, Red Willow County, Nebraska, USA

Burial

Fort McPherson National Cemetery

Maxwell, Lincoln County, Nebraska, USA

Plot

Section P, Site 450

 

Avis Joy Morell died Thursday, July 14, 2016 at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook at the age of 86.

She was born May 27, 1930 in Benkelman, Nebraska the daughter of the late James and Arvilla (Pate) Anderson. She had a younger sister, Evelyn. Although the family moved several times throughout the years, they always called southwest Nebraska home. They moved to Palisade when Avis was two years old and then to Wellfleet when she was ten. They made McCook their home in 1942. Avis lived there ever since.

After graduating from McCook High School in 1948 she attended McCook Junior College, graduating in 1950. It was during her second year of studies that she met her husband, Rex Morell. They were married on September 15, 1950. Their first child, a daughter, was born in 1952 followed by five more children – three girls and two boys. Avis was a stay at home mom for ten years. She then joined the workforce as the manager of the Green Stamps Company out of New York. Following the closing of the store, she worked as a secretary for 12 ½ years at the First Congregational Church. After retiring, Avis and Rex traveled throughout the United States and Canada. They enjoyed seeing all the sites and meeting new friends. When she was not traveling she was busy following her grandchildren and playing cards with her friends. Avis was a great mother to all her children and a wonderful grandmother. She had a heart full of love for her family and was always there when needed. She loved to bake cookies for her grandchildren and enjoyed fixing all the mashed potatoes for the boys. You never went hungry at her dinners. Avis and Rex had a wonderful marriage of sixty one years before Rex passed away in February 2012. She was member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in McCook.

She was preceded in death by her husband Rex, her parents and one sister, Evelyn.

Avis is survived by her six children; Janet and Tom Gardner, Steve and Brenda Morell, Karen Poindexter, Mary and Steve Cuellar, Donna and Tom Cuellar, Jim Morell, 14 grandchildren, Brian Morell, Ben Gardner, Emily (Jeff) Mullin, Elizabeth Morell, Katherine (Matt) Johnson, Garrett (Laura) Nokes, Justen (Ashley) Nokes, Stephanie Huismann, Brandon (Jenny) Poindexter, Louis (Julie) Cuellar, Lauren (Tyler) Powell, Jessica Cuellar, Zachary Morell, Jeremy (Courtney) Morell and 10 great grandchildren. One sister in-law, Ione Brown, nieces and nephews and many friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, July 19, 2016, 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in McCook with Father Gary Brethour as Celebrant. Burial will be at 2:00 p.m. at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, Maxwell, Nebraska.
Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.