It is with sorrow and gratitude that we mark the passing of Francis J. "Stien" Morris, 84, — sorrow at the loss, gratitude for the life.
A life remembered begins, simply, with the telling.
Francis entered this world in 1927 — the start of a journey that would span 85 years.
Francis held deeply to the Catholic faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
The traditions Francis loved will continue to hold those he loved.
Parker. Francis "Stien" Morris, 84, died Sunday, September 9, 2012 at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls. Funeral mass will be at 10:30am Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at St. Christina Catholic Church, Parker with burial with military honors at the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-6:00pm Tuesday at the Hofmeister-Jones Funeral Home, Parker with a Scripture Service/Rosary to be said at 7:30pm Tuesday at the Church. Francis James Morris was born on September 20, 1927 at Parker, SD to John and Wanda (Aldrich) Morris. He grew up and attended school at Parker before serving in the US Navy during WW II. On May 24, 1952 he was united in marriage to Minerva Petersen at Parker. He was employed with the South Dakota Highway Department before becoming employed with the US Post Office in Parker as a clerk. In 1981 he was named Postmaster at Parker where he served until his retirement in 1986. For many years he was the business manager for the Parker Public School and also operated Morris Dray Line. He was a lifelong member of St. Christina Catholic Church were he served on the council, cemetery board, and was a life member of the Parker VFW Post 2128 and past commander. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Minerva; a son Thomas (Lori) Morris, Dell Rapids, SD; 3 daughters, Wanda (Doug) Steward, Lennox, SD, Paula (Marvin) Miller, Parker, and Renee Jans, Parker; family friend Dom LaRocca, Parker; 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Jack, and a grandson, Aaron Francis Jans.
