Alice Morstad

Alice Irene Morstad, 89, of Cambridge and Fergus Falls, passed away on Friday, November 16, 2007 at the Camilia Rose Care Center in Coon Rapids where she had been a resident for one year. She was born on February 16, 1918 in Glenwood, MN to Anton and Ragnhild (Rogness) Hippe. Alice was the second of seven children. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church at Glenwood. Alice loved school and always knew she wanted to be a teacher, so after receiving Normal Training and graduating from Glenwood High School in 1935, she started her teaching career with all eight grades in a one-room school in Terrace, MN. In 1940, she received a diploma in Elementary Education from St. Cloud State Teachers College, and later, her 4-year degree from Moorhead State. She also taught in Watson, MN, and in St. Paul, MN. In 1943, she began teaching in Fergus Falls, serving as principal and a teacher of 4th and 6th grades in Adams, Jefferson, and Madison schools. She met Julian Morstad through the choir at First Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls. They were united in marriage on June 23, 1946. After moving to Crosby, MN, they became the parents of three children, before returning to Fergus Falls. Following her retirement in 1980, after 33 years of teaching, Alice continued to be active in First Lutheran Church, serving as a Sunday School teacher, a wedding coordinator, on the church council, in women's circle, and on the Fellowship Committee. In addition, she was an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Sons of Norway, and a local reading club. Alice was also a dedicated homemaker, mother and grandmother. She was an avid reader, and her hobbies included baking, sewing, knitting, needlework, quilting, and collecting and refinishing antiques. Alice and Julian enjoyed entertaining friends and family, decorating and wallpapering, ballroom dancing, square dancing, and international travel during their 54 years of marriage. Alice was preceded in death by husband, Julian, her parents, three brothers Irving, Randy, and Harold Hippe, and one sister Esther Dahl. She is survived by daughters, Mary Kay (Bill) O'Neill of Cambridge, MN, and Carmen (Craig) Mattson of Plymouth, MN; son, Paul Morstad of Minnetonka, MN; four grandchildren, Gavin (Christy) and Gina O'Neill, Erika and Christopher Mattson; three great-grandchildren, Lachlan, Ryan, and Conn O'Neill; sister, Norma (John) Somers of Port Angeles, WA; brother, Gerhard Hippe of Seattle, WA; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Laverne and Neal Morstad of Fergus Falls; and many loving nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. The family wishes to extend their appreciation to Mill Street Residence in Fergus Falls, RiverHills Assisted Living in Cambridge, Camilia Rose Care Center in Coon Rapids, and Twin Cities Hospice for the loving care given to Alice. Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church or the Alzheimers Association of Minnesota-North Dakota. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday at First LutheranChurch, 402 S. Court Street, Fergus Falls, MN, with visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at First Lutheran North Cemetery. Olson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com