Obituary: Elaine Morrison

Elaine Ruth (Raverty) Morrison died at her own home in Worthington, Minnesota on March 10, 2013, at the age of 63. Elaine gracefully handled a struggle with fronto-temporal dementia for the past 10 years. Her condition worsened near the end of January, 2013.

Elaine was born in Windom, Minnesota on May 3, 1949, to George and Marie Raverty. She was the last born in a family that included 14 siblings. She attended Windom High School and after graduation in 1967 was a student at Worthington Junior College, graduating in 1970. There she met her future husband, Terry Morrison. They were married on September 7, 1971 in Worthington, Minnesota.

Elaine’s career in human services started at a group home called McMillan Home in 1976. She and her husband worked as house parents there for 4 years. In 1981 she began work at Ridgewood, a 15 bed group home for people with both physical and mental disabilities. In 1984 she was promoted to Director of that program, a position she held for 14 years. After that, she worked as a supervisor for other providers in Worthington in smaller home-like settings. Dementia ended her career in human services in December, 2006. Elaine truly had a heart for human services. She continually and always saw the person and not their disability.

Elaine was the coordinator of Worthington’s “Community Thanksgiving Dinner” along with her husband and family for 22 years. She will be remembered for her willingness to jump in, never hesitating to help others.

Elaine was a dedicated and caring life partner and grandmother. Early in marriage she learned the fine art of car camping and with her family toured nearly all state parks in Minnesota and also went west to Yellow Stone, Rocky Mountain National Park, Yosemite National Park, the Black Hills and Paris Mountain State Park in South Carolina. She enjoyed bicycling around Lake Okabena and tolerated many sweat equity remodeling projects initiated by her husband at home.

Survivors include: her spouse Terry Morrison, son Lee Dylan Morrison - Staples, MN, daughter Jada Spring (Jed) Walker and their two children Egan and Emma Walker - Westminster, CO and son Ryan Starr Morrison and his daughter Harper Morrison - Sioux Falls, SD. Because of Elaine’s lengthy illness, she also had an extended family. Her primary care giver and truly an angel in her life is Brittany Mejia. Back-up care giver was Elaine’s niece, Sue Deitchman.

A Celebration of Life service will be 11 a.m. Thursday, March 14, 2013, at the Benson Funeral Home in Worthington, MN, with Rev. Richard Ricker officiating, with lunch to follow at First Lutheran fellowship hall.

A time with family and friends will be held on Wednesday, March 13, 2013, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Benson Funeral Home in Worthington.

Tags: obituaries, services, morrison

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