Harriet Morse

My mother, Harriet Morse, is an avid Iowa State supporter. Although she did not attend college, she supported my father, Lyle Morse, who graduated from ISU in Engineering fifty years ago. And she encouraged her two daughters to attend college. My sister went to the University of Iowa and I graduated from ISU with a B.S. in telecommunication A=arts in 1972. I honor her here as a mother with connections to Iowa State.

My mother, Harriet Morse, was born September 14, 1924, to Hazel and Harry Morey from West Bend, Iowa. She graduated from West Bend High School in 1941, where she was active in 4-H. She attended AIB in Des Moines, worked at Bankers Life and married my father, Lyle Morse, in 1945. My dad was an Iowa State graduate in electrical engineering, class of 1944. Both are active in the ISU Alumni Association.

My parents are avid bridge players. And square dancers - they dance with the Fairs and Squares in Des Moines and have for over forty years.

They had three children: Janie, me – Deanna, and Ken. Janie is married to John Young and lives in Oregon where they both work in education. They have a daughter in high school, Deb. I am a professor of animation and film production at Grand Valley State University in Michigan. I graduated from Iowa State in 1972. My brother, Ken, is married to Julie [Brubaker] and lives in Polk City. They are in business with my father, and they have two children. Jason works in telecommunications in Des Moines and Katie is currently attending Iowa State. Lyle and Harriet celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in March of 1995. As part of this celebration, the entire family, including the grandchildren, went to Alaska for a week.

My mother has always been active in civic organizations. When we were young, she was our Blue Bird and Campfire Girls leader, a Cub Scout leader, and she was always active in PTA. She has been a Blank Guild Volunteer for over twenty years, and has been an officer/ active member of the Des Moines Women's Club, T.T.T., P.E.O., and the Grace Methodist Church.

I chose to honor my mother because, although she did not attend Iowa State herself, she is a tremendous ISU supporter. She and my Dad regularly attend the football and basketball games to enthusiastically cheer the teams to victory.

Although my Mom did not go to college herself, she was, and is, a strong believer in the importance of higher education. She expected that each of us would attend college and encouraged us in our successes. More than once she stayed up late to type research papers for me and she always took an interest in our classes and studies. It seems fitting that she should be honored in the Plaza of Heroines at Iowa State University.

- Deanna Morse, daughter

Submitted on 8/95