Lois Elaine Morton

Our mother, Lois Elaine Morton, rests in the arms of Jesus. She passed peacefully on February 28, and her crossing over begins her journey into the hereafter where so many loved ones await her. Lois Elaine Carrel Morton was born in Kimberly, Idaho, the daughter of Westley James Carrel and Olive Joy (Scott) Carrel, on November 20, 1926. It was a cold and snowy day, and the doctor was unable to reach the farm in his new Chevy. With the help of a midwife, my grandpa delivered his first baby girl. Mom's youth spent farm-living, along with two older brothers, Herman and Perry, and a younger sister, Lola, and brother, Eddy. Mom was the proverbial middle child. From Kimberly to Filer, the siblings did chores and attended schools. The Great Depression hit when mom was three years old, and due to the barter system, the Carrel family made their way through the economic crisis, for the most part, unscathed. Mom attended Kimberly schools as an elementary student and ultimately graduated from Filer High School in 1944. After graduation, she held several jobs, including salesclerk at Sears in Twin Falls. Then she attended Northwest Nazarene University studying nursing for two years. In 1946, she met my dad, Lou Morton (Luther Emmet Morton, Jr.). They had a whirlwind romance, and in 1946, they eloped and married in Elko, Nevada. Dad was in the Air Navy, and he and his crew had done many tours in the Asian Theatre during World War II. He was stateside when they met and soon received an honorable discharge. They spent time in Washington state, but ultimately, made their home in Twin Falls, Idaho, where they welcomed 5 children: James Steven in 1947, who lived a short 3 days, Larry Wayne in 1948 followed by Patricia Louann, who passed in 2022, in 1950. For the next several years, Lois and Lou worked hard, dad as a Parts Man at Twin Falls Auto Parts and mom in various, positions as waitress and bookkeeper and saw their first two children begin elementary school.

Then in 1956, they were surprised with a third child, Janelle Kay and a fourth, Rodney Lynn in 1959. Their family complete, life became a series of diapers, dinners, doing homework, and dancing. Mom and dad were big dancers, and they even Square Danced on live TV once a week for a few years on the Happy Holly show. Dad was a semi-professional bowler, hitting the high score of 300 several times, and mom joined bowling leagues right along with him. The couple moved the family to Rupert in 1965 and began a life there.

Dad found employment at Clark Motor Company, continuing his career as an auto parts man, and mom held several positions over the years including bookkeeper at 4 Seasons Supply and Production Manager at KATE Radio, where she spent some 30 years keeping the books and managing production. They had a lot of fun, and mom and dad were involved in the community on several levels. Mom worked the voting poles in Minidoka County for many years. She was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and went through the offices more than once, and she was a Lady Elk. Dad became an Elk and spent lots of years going through the chairs. He held the office of Exalted Ruler twice and was the organizations secretary through it all. He ended up managing the Rupert Elks for more than 30 years. During those years, the addition of a generous number of bonus children came into their lives, and together, they parented by both loving and providing. The Morton house was always with kids who came to love Lois and Lou, and those bonds are still strong today.

While mom and dad worked, and played, their lives away, we 4 kids grew and brought them much pride and some sorrow. Their marriage lasted 58 years and only ended with dad's passing in 2004.

With 4 children, 8 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and an abundance of great-great grandchildren, mom lived to see 5 generations of offspring.

Lois is preceded in death by her parents, Westley and Olive Carrel, her first born son, Jimmy, her husband, Lou, and her oldest daughter, Patty. She is survived by so many, and we will all miss her and cherish our memories of her.  Memorial Services will be held at 2:00p.m. Monday March 10, 2025, at Hansen Mortuary. A Gathering for family and friends will be held on hour prior to the services at the mortuary. Services will conclude with urn placement at the Rupert Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Joel Heward Hansen Mortuary.

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