Ida Belle Morris

Ida Belle Morris, 94, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, passed away Thursday, January 10, 2019, at the Henry County Health Center surrounded by her family and pastor.

Mrs. Morris has donated her body to the University of Iowa Deeded Body Program for scientific research and education. A celebration of life will be held later in the Spring. Olson~Powell Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. On-line condolences may be directed to www.olsonpowell.com.

Born August 12, 1924, Ida Belle was the daughter of Elmer H. and Johanna (Larson) Heil. She was a 1942 graduate Mt. Pleasant High School. On December 4, 1943, Ida Belle married John Virgil Morris in Riverside, CA. Virgil preceded her in death on September 19, 2004.

First and foremost, Ida Belle was a wife, mother, and homemaker. While at home, she babysat for several families, as well as keeping the books for her husband when they owned Virgils Phillips 66 and DX bulk tank wagon business. She was a machine operator for Metromail in Mt. Pleasant, an employee of IRC in Burlington, a bookkeeper for the Iowa State Penitentiary in Ft. Madison, and a clerk for Henry County Treasurers Office in Mt. Pleasant. In her spare time, Ida Belle sold Avon and worked as a voter registrar.

A member of Faith Lutheran Church, Ida Belle was a member of LWML and taught Sunday school. She was a member of Oakland Mills Ladies Aid. Known as an excellent seamstress, Ida Belle enjoyed playing cards and gardening, and was a camping club member. She was a dedicated volunteer for RSVP and a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary. She liked traveling throughout the United States and wintered some in Arizona.

Ida Belle is survived by a son, Brian (Darla) Morris; a daughter, Bev (Jim) Benda all of Mt. Pleasant, IA; a brother, Carl (Mary) Heil of Wyalusing, WI; and a sister-in-law, Judy Heil of LaHarpe, IL. She is also survived by seven grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Along with her husband, Ida Belle was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Boyd Heil, Sr.; and a nephew, Boyd Heil, Jr.