Mary Louise Morgan

Mary Louise Morgan, of Lanark and rural Mt. Carroll, loved being a Wife, Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma and Great-Great Grandma. Her life was full, and she was thankful, her smile gave it away! At the age of 95, Mary passed away peacefully in the loving care of her family and Allure Nursing Center in Mt. Carroll on Friday, March 22, 2024.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11am Saturday, April 27, 2024 at Lanark Church of the Brethren, Lanark. Visitation will be 10-11am Saturday, April 27, prior to the service at the Church. A luncheon will follow the service. Memorials may be made in her honor for local charities.

Mary was born October 27, 1928 in Fairhaven Township on the family farm, the daughter of William and Liota (Heide) Janssen. She grew up learning commitment, sacrifice, and a strong work-ethic. As a young girl she helped with farm chores and learned to can and preserve all types of food, lessons that she carried into her adult life. Mary attended Fairhaven Country School and is a 1946 graduate of Chadwick High School. On November 15, 1947, Mary married George Morgan. They raised three children, Mick, Sandy “Vicki” and Bill. “As Mom she was our biggest supporter, trusting us, teaching us discipline, protecting us, and always being generous.”

Mary and George bought a farm in rural Mt. Carroll in 1961. She enjoyed farm life. She also worked as a Beautician for forty-five years. Her days were filled with “doing hair,” raising her kids, cooking, canning, butchering chickens, picking black raspberries, baling hay, and even plowing the fields. Her kids fondly remember Mom’s famous Chili, Apple Dumplings, and Cherry Pudding Cake.

In 1975, Mary and George began travelling in their motorhome visiting Florida or Texas each winter. They always liked meeting friends, bowling and square dancing. She loved watching birds and would study them, sharing her love for them with her grandchildren. Mary and George celebrated fifty-six years of marriage until George’s passing in May of 2004.

Mary and George had already bought a home in Lanark, so Mary moved from the farm and became an Eastland Cougar Super-fan. She attended as many sporting events as possible. It kept her excited, often watching her grandchildren and their friends play sports. Over the last three years, Mary lived at Allure of Mt. Carroll. She appreciated the love, care and community that was shared with her. She was a member of the Lanark Church of the Brethren for many years.

Mary will be dearly missed by two sons, Michael “Mick” Morgan of Chadwick and Bill Morgan of Akron, Ohio; a daughter, Sandy “Vicki” Sweitzer of Lanark; eight grandchildren; twenty-six great grandchildren; three great-great granddaughters; a brother, Richard (Nancy) Janssen of Sterling; and a sister-in-law, Joyce Janssen of Chadwick. Mary is preceded in death by both parents; her husband, George; and a brother, Jack Janssen.