Melba Rose Morris

Melba Rose (Lungstrom) Morris, 90, died February 19, 2011, at Shawnee Mission Medical Center.

Melba Rose (Lungstrom) Morris was born to Harry (Jack) Lungstrom and Ethel Lungstrom in Enterprise Kansas. She is survived by her brother Norman Lungstrom of Sayer, Pennsylvania; 2 children, David D. (Paula) Morris and Mary E. (Ralph) Morford of Shawnee, Kansas; 2 grandchildren, Christine (Chris) Knoblauch, Daniel Morford; and 4 great grandchildren. Her husband Joseph Arron Morris, sister Gloria Pieschl, and sister Doris Kingsland, preceded Melba in death.

Melba was a wife, mother, nurse, and patriot. Melba grew up in Enterprise, Kansas, and graduated from Enterprise High School. She attended and graduated from Halstead School of Nursing in 1944. She joined the U.S Army and served in the Philippines and Japan from 1944 to the end of WWII in September of 1945. After returning from WWII she went to Kansas University for a year and then continued her nursing service in the Korean War through 1954 when she was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant having received 5 bronze stars.

Melba was an avid gardener, cook, photographer, and a friend to all. Melba canned as many as 500 jars of fruit and vegetables each year from her garden and would grind all her own flour to make the families bread and goodies every week. Everyone that came to visit would leave with something canned or baked from her kitchen. Melba ran her own business in the 1960's called Melba's Lapidary Shop and later did the accounting and scheduling for the family lawn and landscape business Morris Maintenance, Inc.

She was a member of the Kansas Nursing Association, Master Gardeners, and American Legion. All who knew her will miss Melba's gentle spirit, kind words, generosity, and hard work.

The family requests in lieu of flowers a contribution be made to the Melba Rose Morris Nursing Fund c/o Amos Family Funeral Home 10901 Johnson Drive, Shawnee Kansas, 66203. The "Melba Rose Morris Nursing Fund" will award a scholarship yearly to a person in the nursing field that shows outstanding compassion for patients, passion for their profession along with a high degree of involvement in community service.

Visitation and Graveside Service

Visitation will be from 2:00-4:00 p.m., Sunday, February 27, 2011, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Graveside service will be at 9:00 a.m., Monday, February 28, 2011, at Leavenworth National Cemetery.