Lorna (Burke) Morris

Lorna Burke Morris, 86, of Rancho Cordova, passed away February 13, 2020, at the Summerset Senior Living facility.

Lorna was born May 18, 1933, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Charles (Walter) and Mary Burke. Walt taught all of his children the value of hard work on their farm near Idaho Falls while Mary taught her girls the finer points of cooking and sewing. The Burke family also enjoyed attending dances, picnics, parties and sleigh rides held by friends and neighbors.

In her senior year of high school, Lorna took part in a school play and met the dashing Luther Howell Morris, a new young teacher from Rexburg, Idaho. On Lorna’s 18th birthday, Luther proposed and they were married a few months later on August 1, 1951, in the Idaho Falls Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They shared a remarkable life together and had been married 66 years when Luther preceded Lorna in death, exactly 2 ¼ years before Lorna’s passing.

Lorna is survived by her three daughters and three sons: Diana Leman, Jeff (Amy) Morris, Eric (Ruth) Morris, Aaron Morris, Esther (Michael) Lawton and Melanie (Kevin) Kepler; her brothers Jay (Joy) and Adrian (Marie); her sister Leora; and her beloved 18 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great granddaughter. Lorna was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sisters Nelma (Ray) and Arlene (Ted), and brother Bud (Shirlene).

Lorna explored many roles throughout her life: avid reader, undiscovered spelling bee champion and never-say-die Scrabble player, clever do-it-yourself Christmas ornament developer, street-famous bread-maker and master chef, Hawaiian guitar tinkerer, budding sketch artist, creator of wall-hanging masterpieces (cross-stitch, needlepoint, and crewelwork), accomplished seamstress, family peacemaker, and live-action radio story broadcaster (without the broadcast studio).

As a young school girl, Lorna would regale other children on the school bus with fanciful tales to keep them entertained and begging for more. In her mothering and grand-mothering years, Lorna created Slim and Chub, two lovable characters with countless humorous misadventures that kept restless children happy on long road trips between California, Idaho, and Utah.

Lorna loved to be of service to others.  She exemplified this through her numerous leadership positions and countless hours of teaching and volunteering at church.

Friends are invited to attend a memorial service celebrating Lorna’s life on Monday, February 24, 2020, 10:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Rossmoor Ward Chapel (2400 Cordova Lane, Rancho Cordova, CA). The burial will be at the Fair Oaks District Cemetery.

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