Seletta Rae Morris Pitcher

Seletta Rae Morris Pitcher “We love you more than the whole wide universe and back” Seletta returned to her Heavenly Father, February 11, 2014 following the effects left from her third stroke ten and one half months previous. Seletta was the prime example of enduring to the end with her patience in overcoming her earthly trials with gratitude for any small act of service or kindness given her. Seletta is survived by her brother Royal Morris (Mildred) and a sister-in-law Dorothy all from Park Valley, her sons; W. Morris (Debra) Pitcher of Providence, Jay A. (Paula) Pitcher of St. George and L.Dale (Rhonda) Pitcher of Hyde Park. Daughters; Rae Ann (K. Michael) Chapman of North Salt Lake City and Iva Jean (Jeffrey A.) House of Clarkston, Utah. Her posterity includes 33 grandchildren, 47 (and 8/9ths) great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She was proceeded in death by her husband Willard, Brother LeGrand, parents E. Ray and Tina Morris and three great grandsons; Draven Sands, Donovan & Lucas Fay. Seletta was born August 11, 1915 in Harrisville Utah to E. Ray and Tina M. Kunzler Morris. She was raised in Rosette, Utah with two younger brothers, LeGrand and Royal. She had a wonderful childhood and learned early on the value of hard work. She lived through the depression and learned to be happy with what she had. Seletta completed her first eight grades at Rosette with the next two years of school in Park Valley. She then spent the next two years of high school in Brigham City where she stayed with her Uncle Alvin and Aunt Seeley working part time for her board and room. They were great to her as she got homesick from time to time. She also helped work in the sheep camp during the summer cooking for the men. The last year of high school, she stayed with Dr. Reese Merrill in Brigham working for her board and room. After graduation, she worked an additional year for he and his wife tending their children and doing housework. She earned enough for her tuition to Utah State Agricultural College where she lived with her Aunt Bessie working again for her room and board. She helped clean, cook, do dishes, make beds and do laundry for the other eight boarders also living with her Aunt. She was then called to and served a full time mission in the Northwestern States September 1937 through the fall of 1939. She then went back to school again at the AC and upon graduation she taught school at Lucen her first year (grades 1-8) and Corrine, Utah her second year before being called on another mission to the Eastern States. She went back to teach school again in Corrine and was teaching when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. During the summer she worked at Hill Field. In the fall she taught school at Tremonton, the sixth grade. She enjoyed this. She saw some of the soldiers go off to war and decided she wanted to help in the war. She went into nurses training as a Cadet Nurse in the U.S. Army which she wanted to do years ago. She was at the University of Utah for her training the first six months and then went to the L.D.S. Hospital being housed in the Beehive Annex next to the Beehive House and lived with 8 nurses whom she has remained good friends. Two of these nurses, Afton Hayward Stuart and Mary Gardiner passed away just this year. She had been writing to a man who was in the army. His cousin and her friend from the AC started them writing to each other. The war ended and this soldier, Willard, came home from the army and then came down to meet her. She spent the last six months of her training in the nurses home. Willard courted her and they were engaged before she graduated in June 1947. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple. They moved to Logan where she continued at the AC and got her B. S. degree. They bought a small 50 acre farm and moved to Trenton which they thought would be a good place to raise their family. They had five children, three boys and two girls. This was her crowning glory. Much sacrifice was given to provide piano, organ, accordion, violin, flute, trumpet, french horn, saxophone and voice lessons for her children-let alone the cost of the instruments. Many hours were spent traveling and taking her children to these lessons where she would sit and do handiwork while she waited. She played the piano and accordion herself-though her children didn't know this until many had left home to go to college. She loved quilting, crocheting, and knitting. She lived alone after Willard died in 2005 and did so until after her first stroke in 2011. She had to learn to walk/talk/write-and do her ABC's three times in her life due to her strokes. She loved gardening and just prior to her first stroke at age 95 would be out in her yard pulling weeds, raking leaves and even mowing the lawn. The family in Washington were good to her and helped, however, she never wanted to be a burden to anyone. She did whatever she could by herself not asking for help. She never gave up! She did endure to the end graciously thanking her caregivers and asking if she could help them even the last few days before she died. She worked part time at first at the Preston Hospital, then at the Logan Hospital and later at Dr. Ed's and Dr. Bob's Smithfield Clinic where she continued working even after her retirement when a nurse needed a day off or was sick. She loved the doctors she worked with and told many times how good they were to her and her family. She loved the nurses there and kept in touch with them. Many visited her in Washington and through phone calls or letters—even as late as this spring. Seletta held many positions of leadership in the L.D.S. Church including Relief Society President, and MIA President. Among those callings was that of a visiting teacher. She set an example of the importance of being a visiting teacher. When in her 90's she would say that she needed to get back to Washington to get her visiting teaching done. She was reminded that it was OK to make a call for one month, but she'd say, “I need to get back to help take care of the older people.” She could always be found every Sunday afternoon and evening doing genealogy. She loved and lived it. She attended the temple doing two sessions each week. She last did a temple session spring of 2013 being 97 ½. This was just the week prior to her last debilitating stroke. She was our link to the past as she rekindled the Kunzler Reunion and made sure she attended her other reunions as well as Willard's and taught her children the importance of staying close with family. The memories and life lessons she has left behind will never be forgotten. Even though she came in a small package, she was mighty and made things happen. She had a deep and abiding love of her Savior Jesus Christ and an unwavering testimony and love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Her quiet example of faithfulness and diligence touched all who knew her. She could be found studying her scriptures in the stillness of the early morning. Her testimony remained unwavering and her great faith was a comfort to both her and her family. Loved by all who knew her, admired for her amazing capacity for service and love to others. Her long years of sacrifice for her family will forever be a memorial to her and will never be forgotten. Even as we bid our farewells, others joyfully welcome her home and thus it is with sweet and full hearts that we send our dear one on her way after a life of 98 ½ years, well and honorably lived in the service of mankind and therefore in the service of her beloved Savior, Jesus Christ. Well done thou good and faithful servant. We as a family truly thank all those who helped our family and Seletta since April 2013 when she came home on Hospice. Caregiver Support Network, the aids too numerous to list and especially Jamie Jones her Hospice Nurse. She was an incredible nurse and friend to her going above and beyond! Funeral Services will be held at noon on February 15, 2014 in the Trenton Church 1200 N. 400 W. in Trenton, Utah. Viewings will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. February 14 and from 9:30-11:30 on the 15th, both at the Trenton Church. Interment will be in the Trenton Cemetery.

Seletta Rae Morris Pitcher

August 11, 1915 - February 11, 2014