JoAnn Mildred (Hampton) Morse

JoAnn Mildred (Hampton) Morse, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin and best friend, passed away in Bend, Oregon on Tuesday, March 26, 2019. JoAnn was born in Portland, Oregon, on June 22, 1934, to Donald Rocca Hampton and Jessie Elizabeth Taylor. She spent the majority of her childhood in Portland until moving to Klickitat, Washington, where she graduated from high school in 1951. Following high school, she attended nursing school in Spokane, Washington, and obtained a position at Klickitat County Hospital in Goldendale, Washington. While working in Goldendale, she met her future husband, Clair Eugene Morse. They married in 1954 at Grace Lutheran Church in Klickitat, Washington and have four children. The Morse family relocated from Klickitat, Washington to Bend, Oregon in 1964. JoAnn was a wonderful homemaker, wife, and mother. She devoted her life to family and friends. Later in life she began a 22 year career at St. Charles Medical Center as a unit secretary in the Emergency Department until her retirement. She has been a member of Trinity Lutheran Church for nearly 55 years and cherished her church family. She and her husband enjoyed playing pinochle and participated in cribbage tournaments, both locally and nation-wide. She also enjoyed televised sporting events, especially ice skating, tennis, and gymnastics. JoAnn is survived by: daughter, Glenda Rae Morse of Bend; daughter, Clarice Ann Gerlach of Portland; son, James Ellis Morse of Bend; son, Joseph Clair Morse (Sandy) of Eagle, Idaho; grandchildren, Christopher Wiggins (Tiffany), Cory Wiggins (Alli), Jessie Gerlach Backett (Paul), Megan Marie Rutherford (Jake Zumbrunnen), Sarah Jane Gerlach, James Clair Morse, and Jessica Morse Vaughn (Seth); great-grandchildren, Mary Jean Wiggins, Zackary James Wiggins, Miles Weylie Wiggins, Lucy Jo Wiggins, Emma Claire Vaughn, Lucas Eugene Thomas Wiggins, Eloise Claire Gerlach Backett, Noah James Vaughn, and Remi Rae Zumbrunnen. JoAnn is also survived by: sister Kathryn Barger (Larry), sister Lynda Templeton (Ken), brother Richard Hampton, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. JoAnn is preceded in death by her beloved husband of nearly 64 years, Clair Eugene Morse; parents Donald & Mildred Hampton and Gerald & Jessie Olney; sister Donna Lee (Hampton) Wyatt; and brother Bob Ward. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, May 4, 2019, 2:00 p.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2550 NE Butler Market Road, Bend, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church and School, Bend, Oregon, or to the charity of choice. The family would like to thank all the wonderful friends who shared in JoAnns life and those who contributed to her care. Funeral Home: Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home 105 NW Irving Ave Bend, OR US 97701

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JoAnn Mildred (Hampton) Morse

June 22, 1934 - March 26, 2019