Ralph Morris

Ralph Morris, 85, Wilton, North Dakota, formerly of Blue Lake, California, died January 30, 2004, of natural causes. Funeral services will be Tuesday at 10:00 AM at Church of Corpus Christi in Bismarck with the Rev. Paul Becker officiating. Burial will be at Oceanview Cemetery in Blue Lake, California, at a later date. Visitation will be Monday from 1 - 9 PM at Eastgate Funeral Service where a rosary will be held at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue Tuesday one hour prior to the service at the church. Ralph was born on December 29, 1918, in rural Bismarck, North Dakota, the son of Edward and Hazel Ringenberg Morris. Ralph entered the service in November of 1941 in the armored division and served in Africa and Italy during World War II. He married Marion Piercy in 1946. In 1961, he moved to California. On October 11, 1965, Ralph married Velma Hamrick and resided in Blue Lake, California, before moving back to North Dakota in September of 2003 to be close with family and friends. He worked as a cement worker, a carpenter, and loved to build trucks, trains, and other things; kids are left with wonderful treasures of his works. Ralph is survived by two daughters and one son-in-law, Darlene and Bill Bitz of Wilton, North Dakota, and Dana Wallace of Great Falls, Montana; four step-daughters and one step-son-in-law, Charlene and Archie Fraser of Los Molinos, California, Pam Stradiota of Eureka, California, Peggy Hamrick of Eureka, California, and Betty Smith of Austin, Texas; one step-son and step-daughter-in-law, David and Sue Hamrick of Vancouver, Washington; three sisters and one brother-in-law, Leona Schonert of Baldwin, North Dakota, Lucille Schonert of Bismarck, North Dakota; and Patricia and Paul Sabot of Washburn, North Dakota; two brothers and three sisters-in-law, David and Donna Morris of Regan, North Dakota, Clarence and Delores Morris of Mandan, North Dakota, and Mary Morris of Elk River, Minnesota; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Velma; three brothers, Patrick Morris, Harold Morris, and Howard Morris; two sisters, Winnie Sabot and Billie Simons; two brothers-in-law, Joseph Schonert and Robert Schonert; one son-in-law, David Wallace; one step-daughter, Dorothy Mantiad; one step-son-in-law, George Stradiota; two sisters-in-law; and three brothers-in-law.

Ralph Morris

December 29, 1918 - January 30, 2004