Myron Hayward “Mike” Morris of Beatrice passed away peacefully on June 7, 2024. He was 95 years old. A proud Nebraskan, he was born on November 10, 1928 to Harry “Shorty” and Jennie  Wisdom Morris in Beatrice. Affable like his well-known father, he was the seventh of nine children. After graduating from Beatrice High School, he followed sisters Barb and Vi to California where he attended Glendale College. There, he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War, where he served in the Army of Occupation from 1950-1952 near Friedberg, Germany.

On a fateful evening during a visit back to Beatrice before his deployment to Europe, he met his future wife, Betty Folkers. The two penned letters throughout his time enlisted and his grandchildren are now keepers of those treasured exchanges. He returned and married Betty on May 31, 1953 at Diller Methodist Church.

Mike and Betty raised three boys - Michael, Douglas, and Wesley. Mike was a respected parts salesman and parts manager at Don Linn Chevrolet, Beardmore Chevrolet, Ken Morehead Chevrolet, and retired from Carriage Motors in 1994.

Mike and Betty imparted their love and loyalty for the Nebraska Cornhuskers onto their boys and other family members. Mike held season tickets for over 75 years and only missed two home games during that time. He was a Mason and civically active including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, United Commercial Travelers (past-president of Beatrice Council, Association secretary-treasurer, past state president and international treasurer), Sesostris Shriners and Blue Valley Shrine Club (served as president twice), Blue Valley Shrine Firemen, and Roadrunners. Even into his 90s, Mike transported children and their families to Minneapolis Shrine Hospital. He made over 20 trips.

A faithful Christian, Mike was a member of Centenary Methodist Church for over 80 years. The church was the site of many Morris weddings, memorials, and baptisms including his great grandson Hayward “Hank” Mick on Christmas Day in 2022.

Shortly after Mike’s retirement and their 40th wedding anniversary celebration, Betty passed away following a brief battle with cancer. Mike was also preceded in death by his parents, sisters Viola Querness, Marcella Will, Irene Young Clark, Leanna Vaughn, Barbara Wrigley, brothers Harold and Bob, sons Michael and Wesley and special friend Donna Acton. He is survived by son Douglas (Diane Orth), Lincoln, daughters-in-law Beverly Raser Morris, Lexington, KY and Cynthia Morris, Dallas, TX, brother Roger (Marcia) Leawood, KS, sister-in-law Kay Morris, Lincoln, seven grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life service will be held June 17 at 10:30, Centenary United Methodist Church, Beatrice. In lieu of flowers, Mike asked that memorials be given to Centenary Methodist Church or Sesostris Shrine Transportation Fund. A register book will be available Sunday from 12:00-8:00 PM at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.

We invite you to visit Mike’s memorial page at www.ghchapel.com, where you share memories, pictures and stories of Mike and watch his video tribute and service. The family thanks Angel Care Home Health of Lincoln, and Home Instead, Dr. Steven Paulmeyer, and Cottonwood Hospice of Beatrice.

 This service is entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.