Karen Kay Morris

Karen Kay Goodrow Morris was born February 19, 1939 at Morland, Kansas to Carl Harold (Sonny) and Inez Ermina (McDowall) Goodrow. She departed this life December 19, 2016 at Kearney, Nebraska from injuries sustained in a fall at her home. Karen grew up around Morland with four siblings and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. She would talk about milking cows and butchering chickens which her mother fried to feed their family of seven, and the numerous hired hands her dad employed. Karen married Charles E. Morris August 1, 1956 at the Morris farm in rural Graham County. She drove to Morland daily to attend classes during her senior year, often sharing rides with Myrtle Chalfant, a teacher at the school. She graduated with her class from Morland High School in 1957. The following year they started a family. Four children were born to this union: Bobby Tain, Robin Marie, Malissa Diane, and Karla Kay. Karen and Charles lived in Hill City a short time before moving to the farm where Charles was raised. They were active members of the Hill City Christian Church, and hosted hay rack rides and ice skating parties along the creek on their farm. Karen made sure she had enough skates for her children to learn to ice skate, also. With ponds so close to their house, she made sure her children learned to swim, taking them into town for two-weeks of swim lessons during the summer. After a short time, Charles started farming, bought a caterpillar dozer, and dug many basements in Graham County. Karen told about milking cows and raising chickens, selling cream and eggs in town for grocery money. She did this twice a day until after the birth of Malissa, when the milk cows were sold. During the 1970’s, Karen became the first female bus driver for USD 281. She drove a regular bus route and would also take students to extra-curricular activities. Junior high students were her favorite group to take, because they were always so excited and enthusiastic. She would smile as she remembered how they would open the bus windows and cheer for Hill City while driving through neighboring towns. Karen made life an adventure for her children, and loved to announce “Get up! It’s snowing!” only to be followed by, “April Fool’s!” One year she announced, “Get up. The ceiling fell down in the kitchen!” to which her kids yelled, “April Fool’s”, only to find out the ceiling really did fall! Even now her kids and grandkids would call to announce the first snow of the season. A walk was never just a walk with Grandma Karen. She loved to pick up unusual rocks and would walk around a field looking for arrow heads. Her love for rocks has been passed to her children and grandchildren who have their own rock collections. In the spring and fall, she would call her children outside to see a flock of geese flying over, and during a meteor shower, she would lay a blanket outside in the back yard where everyone would lie down to watch the sky show. On Wednesday, her daughters walked outside to the honking of an enormous flock of geese loudly announcing their arrival “home”, as many stay the winter on one of the ponds around the farm. No doubt Grandma Karen saw them, too. Karen was a Sunday School teacher, VBS teacher and coordinator at the Christian Church, and a project leader and community leader of the Spring Creek Hustlers 4-H club where her kids were active members. She was often a participant in skits to entertain the kids at VBS or the audience during the 4-H Style Review. Dressing silly was always a part of the act. After Charles became a private pilot, they started flying around the country, and Karen decided she needed to be able to land the plane in case of an emergency. She began taking flying lessons and enrolled in a private pilot’s class through Colby Community College. She was proud when she passed the written pilot’s test, made her first solo flight, became a licensed student pilot, and passed her college class. She took additional classes in a variety of subjects, instilling in her children the desire to learn and teach. Faith, family, and farming were top priorities in Karen’s life. She could often be seen driving the tractor or combine with two or three small grandchildren riding along. Her tractor rides were another adventure with Grandma Karen. She didn’t just drive the tractor or combine for the day. She would get up a little earlier to put a roast, potatoes, and carrots in the crock pot to take to the field. She would plug it into the irrigation system and have a hot lunch ready for dinner. During wheat harvest, she would prepare a Sunday dinner meal every night for two weeks. What fun she always made work. Rounding up cattle was another activity Karen took an active part. After Charles bought a couple 4-wheelers, she insisted on learning how to drive them and would join the drive to round up the cows. Riding with her in the pickup was an even greater adventure. When there was work to be done, Karen was always ready to do her part and show her kids and grandkids the importance of working together. And, if at all possible, make it FUN!!!! Karen departed her life the way she lived it, full of grace and faith. Her life remains an example to all who knew and loved her. Her spiritual and faithful obedience are the legacy she leaves to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and anyone who called her Gramma Karen or friend. She was not only the heart of her home, she was the heart of her family.