December 27 2019
Margaret’s Obituary The Reverend Margaret Z. Morris The Book of Life has closed for Margaret Z. Morris, age 79, who died December 27, 2019 at Grand Itasca Hospital, surrounded by her family. Her first chapter began on May 18, 1940 in Indianapolis, IN when Margaret was born to Susannah Elizabeth (Hume) Zimmer and Kenneth Marvin Zimmer. She grew up in New Augusta, IN, attending Pike Township Schools for elementary and secondary education. A multi-talented woman, Margaret took piano lessons at an early age and was the accompanist of choral groups in high school. Her church saw her talent and payed for lessons so she could become the organist of Salem Lutheran Church. Her summers were spent between Camp Lutherwald, where she was thrust into preparing meals for hundreds of hungry campers at the age of 13, and vacations at her grandparents’ resort on Lake Wabana, north of Grand Rapids, MN. She served on the Fashion Board for LS Ayers, the major department store in Indianapolis. After high school, Margaret attended Wittenberg University (Springfield, OH), singing and accompanying the choir on piano, culminating in a concert tour through Germany. Margaret earned a B.S in Christian Education. After college, her second chapter began when she was hired as the director of Christian Education at Fairview Presbyterian Church (Indianapolis, IN). Margaret attended the church’s summer Synod School (Wooster, OH) and met David E. Morris, whom she married in 1962. They started in Crothersville, IN and began a trek north to Cincinnati, OH, where David served as pastor and Margaret sang in the choir, played the organ, began painting in oils and acrylics, and had three children: Rebekah E. Morris, Sarah E. Morris and John D. Morris. Summers were now split between Synod School and Lake Wabana. Continuing their journey north, David’s job now moved them to Mosinee, WI. While in Mosinee, at age 35, Margaret decided to go to seminary and chose United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities (UTS). Commuting from Mosinee to Minneapolis for two years, the family then moved to Duluth, MN. Finishing with a Master of Divinity, Margaret was ordained on her birthday in 1979. She continued working part time at the University of Minnesota (UMD) in Campus Ministry, and Religion and Health for UMD’s Medical School, as well as serving as Interim Pastor at Hammond Avenue Presbyterian Church in Superior, WI. Now closer to Grand Rapids, they purchased a cabin and spent summers on Wabana. Chapter three was filled with advanced professional travel and activity. Margaret was the first female President of the Program Agency of the United Presbyterian Church (USA) and served on the first General Assembly Council, which brought the merger of the northern and southern bodies of the Presbyterian Church, into the new Presbyterian Church (USA). She was the first Chair of the Peacekeeping Committee of the new church and wrote a book about peacekeeping. During her service to the church, she led visits to the Presbyterian Churches in Korea, Japan and Brazil. With all this travel, her art was expressed through cross stich, having the ability to stich on planes, and occasionally during retreats and meetings. Margaret began teaching at Ghost Ranch (Abiqui, NM), the Alban Institute (Durham, NC) and Montreat (Montreat, NC) providing education on small churches, interim ministry, conflict and women’s issues. After the death of her husband David, in 1984, she joined the staff of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies as Associate Executive. 1985 brought chapter four of Margaret’s life. Margaret found renewed life with Arthur Merrill, Professor of Old Testament, whom she met while attending UTS. Arthur also had three adult children: Margaret J. Merrill (Paul Lundquist), Robert L. Merrill and Katherine M. (Donald) Nelson. The families would find opportunities to come together on Lake Wabana. Professionally, Margaret brought her expertise in interim ministry and conflict resolution in the church by serving in numerous Presbytery and Synod Executive roles. She served as Interim Executive Presbyter for Homestead Presbytery in Lincoln, NE. She held several Executive positions for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies from 1987 until the end of 1991. During the next four years, she was the Interim Executive Presbyter for John Knox Presbytery (Richland Center, WI) and Blackhawk Presbytery (Oregon, IL). In 1994, after the death of her oldest daughter, Rebekah, Margaret decided to take a permanent position, becoming the Executive Presbyter of Wabash Valley Presbytery in northern Indiana. While in Wabash Valley, she asked her council for a study leave to learn watercolor painting, which took her back to Ghost Ranch. Even with all her professional travel, Margaret and Arthur found time to travel for pleasure. They visited Panama, where Margaret’s daughter, Sarah, and her husband, Matt were stationed. They traveled to Sweden and Norway, where Art’s son, Robert was stationed. They went around the world, stopping in Hong Kong, Thailand, India, Egypt, Jordan, and Israel. They visited Italy and Greece, spent winters in Arizona and summers at Lake Wabana, as well as regular trips to Ghost Ranch. Retirement came in 2000, with chapter five. Margaret and Arthur built their retirement home on Lake Wabana. Margaret accelerated her painting and education, by teaching and attending workshops. She taught classes and served on the Board at MacRostie Art Center and continued traveling to Ghost Ranch. She loved retirement, spending her life with Arthur on Wabana, painting, playing bridge, entertaining, being active in PEO, and spending time with friends and family. Margaret is preceded in death by her parents, Susannah and Kenneth Zimmer, her first husband, David E. Morris, and daughter, Rebekah E. Morris. She is survived by her second husband, Arthur L. Merrill; brother, Kenneth M. (Barbara) Zimmer, Jr. of Grand Rapids, MN; sister, Susannah E. (Cress) Hart of Aurora, CO. Her daughter, Sarah E. (Matt) Copeland of Grand Rapids, MN; son, John D. (Debra) Morris of Kansas City; stepchildren, Margaret J. Merrill (Paul Lundquist) of Minneapolis, Robert L. Merrill, Katherine M. (Don) Nelson of Cedar, MN. Margaret has six grandchildren, Richard L. Copeland, David P. Copeland, Rebekah A. Morris, Hannah J. Morris, Charles A.M. Lundquist and Katherine J. Lundquist; and two great-grandchildren, Augustus W. Copeland and Frances E. Copeland. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 10, 2020, at 11 AM at Community Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, MN. It is requested that all clergy wear his/her robes and stoles. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to: The Fund for Women at the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation, Community Presbyterian Church, and/or Ghost Ranch Education and Retreat Center. Read More
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Margaret Z Morris December 27 2019.
Rowe Funeral Home of Grand Rapids, Minnesota
Death notice for the town of: Grand Rapids, state: Minnesota