Ethel May Morse

Ethel May Fowler Morse was born December 17, 1936 in Everett, Washington to Ethel Thacker and Lyle Clair Rothenburg (his stepfather's name was Fowler, which was the name he was using when Ethel May was born). 

Ethel May was living in Ketchikan, Alaska, attending high school, when she met and married the man that would eventually become her eternal companion, Jack Morse Jr. They were married on June 17, 1953. They had been married for 60 years when Jack passed away in 2014 in Bountiful, Utah, having had a wonderful three-day 50th Anniversary celebration with all their family where they were living at the time in Washington state, and then a 60-year celebration in Bountiful.

They were blessed with three children and their companions, whom she greatly loved, Robert Hal Morse (Cheryl), Robin May Morse Haywood (Blake), and Ronald Joe Morse (Dianne). They have 16 grandchildren and many great grandchildren, some of which have spent joyous hours playing games with her-she was hard to beat!

Ethel May graduated Summa Cum Laude from Westminster College in Salt Lake City in 1977, and began her career as a school teacher. It was so much more than a job, it was her personal mission to make a difference in the lives of children, and she was so loved.

 Jack and Ethel May, with their young family, joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints April 20, 1963 in Washington. Their marriage was solemnized, and their children sealed to them, in the Cardston Alberta Canada Temple about one year later, July 18, 1964. She was a faithful member of the Church, and had a deep and abiding testimony that was still burning brightly until her last breath. 

At the time of her death, July 26, 2024, Ethel May was living at Welcome Home Memory Care in Bountiful, Utah, and had been there only a short 5 weeks, but it was the nicest place she could have been to spend her final days, with lots and lots of visits from children and grandchildren that live in the area. 

We love you Mom and Grandma, you will be missed, but your love and legacy lives on in us. 

Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 5, 2024 at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah, where a viewing will be held from 9:00 - 9:45 a.m. prior to services.

Services will be streamed live on Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and this obituary page.