Marilynn Sue Morris

Marilynn Sue Morris, “Mim”, was born Feb. 17, 1938, in Grove, OK, and passed away December 20, 2020, in Tacoma, WA from natural causes.

She grew up in a family that followed the heavy construction jobs along the West Coast. She would joke how they were just one of the families coined “Dam Family”. During her school years she was active in student government and sports. Throughout her life Marilynn was always on the move and involved with the community.

After graduating high school in Lowell, OR, she attended Lane Community College. Upon graduation she worked a couple years for the Lane County Sheriff’s office. She married Harold Nelson on August 29, 1959, and followed him to Klamath Falls, OR, where he attended a technical school. When Harold was drafted into the Army she went with him for one year overseas to live in Vicenza, Italy.

They returned to Eugene, OR, followed by a move to Renton, WA. Marilynn opened and ran two Stretch & Sew stores for many years. In 1971 they moved to a small farm in Hobart, WA, where they raised their three children. She divorced Harold in 1984, married and divorced three other men, and lived in areas of Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. She spent most of her last years near Okanogan, WA, and on Bainbridge Island, WA.

Marilynn’s hobbies were gardening, travel, photography, watercolor painting, riding ATVs, drinking wine, and fishing (but not eating them). She was loved by friends and loved children. She taught her own children to love, share, be kind, take chances, and never give up.

She was preceded in death by her parents Burl Moore and Opal Smith; sibling Betty Smith; husbands Harold Nelson, and Francis Odstrcil. She is survived by sisters Carol Green, Barbara Beeson, brother Ron Moore; daughter Laura (Jeff) Lafer of Bainbridge Island, WA.; sons Eric Nelson, and Craig (Connie) Nelson of Okanogan, WA.; grandsons Alexander Nelson, Joel Lafer, Sean Lafer, and Austin Nelson; husbands Dan Johnson, and Robert “Bob” Morris.

Marilynn requested that no services be held in her honor. In lieu of flowers or cards, please consider a donation to your local school to help fund their art and technical programs.

Arrangements are entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home on Bainbridge Island, WA