Charlie Martin Morse, 85 years, of Fort Madison, Iowa fell into the arms of God on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at the Great River Hospice House, West Burlington, Iowa. He was born in Kansas City, Missouri on October 11, 1929, the son of James Martin and Rose May (Stout) Morse. He served with pride as a Paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division during the US Army of Occupation Japan and instructed parachute packing during the Korean War. He married his beautiful wife Esther on May 6, 1952 at Fort Madison, Iowa. After serving his country, Charlie worked for the Santa Fe Railroad and then protected citizens as a Police Sergeant with the Fort Madison Police Department for 35 years. Charlie graduated from St. Ambrose College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology in 1977. He loved his family, travel, chess, Science Fiction, Hopalong Cassidy and history. Charlie was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Esther Morse; a dedicated father to six children; Charlotte Fraise, of North Dakota; Rebecca (Ronald Jr.) Leffler, Tennessee; Linda King, of Georgia; Steven (Julie) Morse, of Iowa; Rose (Bruce) Bohnenkamp, of Iowa; and Sheila Morse, Colorado; 11 Grandchildren; Spencer Fraise, Adam Fraise, Ronald Leffler III, Heather Gomes, Melissa Leffler, Barry King II, Benjamin King, Joey Morse, Jennie Morse, Emily Bohnenkamp and Alexander Bohnenkamp; and 15 Great Grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rose May; father, James Martin; and step-father, Arthur Shelledy.
Visitation will be held from 9:30 – 11:00 am Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison, Iowa. Graveside services and burial with full military rites will be 12:00 pm Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at the Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa, with Pastor Jose Arellano officiating. A memorial has been established for the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Fort Madison. Online condolences to the Morse family may be made at the Barr Memorial Chapel and Cremation Services website, www.barrmemorialchapel.com.
Betty Lou Diewold, 84, of Burlington, died Friday, May 29, 2015, at her home.
Born January 16, 1931, in Burlington, she was the daughter of Louis and Elizabeth Barry Grothe. On June 23, 1948, she married Thomas Edward Diewold in Burlington. He died November 12, 2011.
Betty was a homemaker.
She was a 1948 graduate of Burlington High School.
She was an avid Chicago Cubs fan, a master gardener, and an excellent seamstress. She enjoyed refinishing furniture, painting, bird watching and growing African Violets.
Survivors include her 12 children, Debbie (Rich) Gadau of Burlington, Jeff (Teresa) Diewold of Burlington, Sandy (Don) Kerr of Meridian, ID, Rita (Paul Kellogg) Diewold of Longmont, CO, Ted Diewold of Sperry, Brian (Melinda) Diewold of Burlington, Ben (Rhonda L.) Diewold of Burlington, Beth (Randy) Reynolds of Kansas City, MO, Tim “Doc” Diewold of Burlington, Tina (Roger) Shaner of Stronghurst, Matt Diewold of Burlington, and Jackie Diewold of Burlington; 36 grandchildren, Cindy, Heather, Angie, Pat, Andy, Christy, Tyler, Sarah, Jon, Hannah, Patrick, Phillip, Jeremy, Justin, Nate, Meta, Aurey, Gabby, Zach, Rachel, Bruce, Tracy, Taylor, Seth, Jack, Erin, Tommy, Tony, Brandon, Brandy, Ryan, Jacob, Josh, Katie, Betsy, and Presley; 31 great-grandchildren, Trevor, Madalyn, Chance, Calvin, Rainer, Ava, Ethan, Max, Sam, Will, Jacob, Justin, Alex, Jonah, Addison, Tyler, Ava, Kinsley, Sophia, Michael, Chloe, Chason, Drake, Avery, Parker, Alex, Timmy, Maddox, Carson, Ryelan, and Eleanor; one sister Rita Thompson of Palm Springs, CA and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband she was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Louis Grothe and one granddaughter, Amy Gadau.
Visitation will be from 8:00 AM until 8:00 PM with the family to receive friends following a 5:00 PM Christian Wake Service until 8:00 PM Tuesday, June 2, 2015, at Thielen Funeral Home.
The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection for Mrs. Diewold will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, June 3, 2015, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Rev. Father Marty Goetz as the Celebrant and Very Rev. Father Patrick Hilgendorf as the concelebrant. Music will be provided by the Des Moines County Resurrection Choir. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held at St. John’s cafeteria following the burial.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for Birthright of Burlington.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Betty’s obituary at www.thielenfuneralhome.com.
