Evelyn Dora Morrell was born in Gray, Iowa, to Anna and Barney Meislahn on September 7, 1926, and was the second youngest of seven children. She died on May 6, 2024, at the age of 97 years and 8 months, in Jacksonville, Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard (Dick) and son Douglas. She is survived by daughters Barbara Morrell and husband John Clement; Jeanette Morrell-Meeker and husband Larry Meeker; and Deborah Morrell and husband Roger Frick and their two children Madeleine and Matthew, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a large, extended family.
Evelyn graduated from Gray High School in 1944, after which she worked in the retail industry. She married Richard Morrell on November 17, 1946, in Manning, Iowa. During their lifetime, they lived in California, Iowa, Nebraska, Arizona, Florida, and England while Dick served in the Air Force and after retirement. They made the last of many moves in 2002 to Ocala, Florida, to be closer to their children and grandchildren.
Evelyn enjoyed traveling, making pottery, gardening, baking, and sewing while supporting her children in Girl Scouts, sporting activities, and academics. She also taught them how to bake and would give them free rein in the kitchen, making batches of chocolate chip cookies. She also made sure her children knew how to swim while living in Florida, though she never learned herself.
She also fondly recalled her years working for JC Penneys in Omaha, Farm Bureau in Audubon, the snowbird years in Phoenix to escape the Iowa winters, tailgating at Iowa football games with friends, shopping at Ocala garage sales in her golf cart, her schnauzers, and the births of her grandchildren.
Evelyn spent her final nine years living with her daughter and son-in-law in Fleming Island, where she enjoyed trips to the Navy Base to shop, drives out to the beach, visits from her children and grandchildren, gardening, and going out to lunch. She passed peacefully at home and was ready to be reunited with her parents, siblings, husband, and son.
A Memorial Service will be held June 8, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Gray United Methodist Church in Gray, Iowa. Following the service, interment will take place at the Gray Cemetery. A luncheon will be held following the interment at the Gray School.
Memorials may be directed to the Morrell Family in memory of Evelyn, to be designated to many of her favorite organizations and charities. Memorials may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 523 Atlantic, IA 50022.
Arrangements are handled by the Schmidt-Kessler Funeral Home of Audubon, IA.
