Morris J. Moerkerke, Jr.
Morris J. Moerkerke, Jr., 80, formerly of Bridger, went peacefully to the Lord on January 24.
He was born in Custer to Morris and Julia
(Van Houtte) Moerkerke on May 21, 1929. He grew up with five
siblings and graduated from
Morris married Bernice Schmidt on January
29, 1949 in Hysham. They lived in
Morris was a loving and caring husband, father and grandfather with a passion for life. He spent countless hours coaching baseball and softball. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing; working in his garden; and making U-Neek BBQ Sauce. He also had an artistic side; playing drums in numerous bands, basket weaving and painting.
He is survived by his children, Cheryl (Larry) Yerger of Billings; Bob (Joy) Moerkerke of Rhinelander, WI; Judy (Dave) Zent of Laurel; Joe (Stephanie) Moerkerke of Conrad; Jan Moerkerke of Billings; Tricia (Patrick) Hansen of Laurel; 13 grandchildren, Lynn (Jason) McCann of Belgrade; Cody Yerger of Billings; Trevor (Samantha) Moerkerke of Portland, OR; Brooke Moerkerke of Rhinelander, WI; Brett (Lauren) Zent of Billings; Kylee Zent of Billings; Josiah, Ben, Seth and Abby Moerkerke all of Conrad; Josh Krogh of Denver, CO; Mya and Cy Hansen of Laurel; two great-grandchildren, Mikayla Munter and Piper McCann of Belgrade; one sister, Alyce Terry of Powell, WY; one brother, George (Bev) Moerkerke of Scottsdale, AZ and numerous relatives.
He is preceded in death by his wife, parents, two brothers and one sister.
Visitation for family and friends will be held from 6:30-9:00pm Wednesday, January 27th at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. Visitation at Sacred Heart Parish, Bridger, will begin at 9:00am Thursday. The Funeral Mass will be 10:00 A.M. Thursday, January 28th at Sacred Heart Parish with interment at the Hysham Cemetery at 2:30pm.
Thanks for being a wonderful father. We will miss you, but know that you are close in our hearts and always keeping our hands warm.
Memorials may be made to the Ronald McDonald House.
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. I know that I will always remember him as"Coach", a pretty darn good one at that, from the years that I played softball for him.
Take comfort in knowing that he lived a long and full life, and that all of you were a huge part of that!! May God Bless You All!!
With Deepest Sympathy,
Tonya (Feller) Espinosa
Morris was a good man I always enjoyed doing business with. He was fair, honest, and pleasant to be around. May God be with his loved ones.
Mike Bernhardt
Park City
Bob -
You have my sincere condolences on the loss of your father. May your memories give you strength and the love of those around you help you through the days ahead. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Troy
Rest well Coach you are responsible for helping me become the man I am today.
I Pray the Family finds comfort in GOD and at this time .Don Schutt
Moerkerke family,
We were deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Morris. We have many fond memories spent at the Moerkerke house. Morris and Bernice were both very special people, and always made you feel welcome and at home. Our thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone one of you during this difficult time. May God bless you all, and may you draw strength from the love and memories that you have of both your mom and dad.
Judi & Myles Van Hemelryck
Helena, MT
Samantha Kate Vembu, our daughter visited Hysham and Bridger, Montana at the invitation of Trevor and the Moerkerke family. I remember her calling me in Madison, Wisconsin and telling me about both sides of the families related to Trevor.
For having never been to Montana I was naturally curious about life and happenings there. We spoke whenever we had a chance. Couple days into the visit of the Moerkerke side of the family Samantha told me that she is dressed in cowboy boots and cowboy hat and was working with "Grandpa Morris" in the corn stand selling fresh home grown corn and other things. I was rather amused and asked her where did she get the cowboy hat and boots? She says 'oh, they are Grandma Morris' hat and boots. I asked her whether they fit her. She said "perfectly well". Later that evening she calls to tell me 'Dad I helped sell all the corn today'. I asked her how did she know how to sell corn?. She says Grandpa Morris taught me; he told me how to talk to the customers and I am having a great time doing it.
I was thinking, here is my daughter, in her first visit to Montana the Morris Moerkerke family accepted her, made her feel at home, treated her as if their own, dressed her, taught her a way of life in that part of the world. Later we saw the pictures of her visit and could not help but feel that Samantha made an instant connection with Morris Moerkerke to feel so comfortable to only acknowledge Morris as "Grandpa Morris and his wife as Grandma Morris".
It goes to show the person that Morris was, loving, caring and making people welcome in his house. As days went by I know Sam grew fond of Morris and now she is part of his family. We are all proud of being part of the Moerkerke family. Morris will always be special for my daughter Samantha and I know she will miss him terribly. We as parents mourn her loss as we do for Bob, Joy, Trevor, Brooke and all of Morris's children and grand children. I, for one regret for not having taken the time to visit Morris and his family which would have enriched my own experiences. Morris has enriched all our lives and has left behind a legacy through his family. He will live on in our memories and Sam and Trevor will remember him through their own families. We thank him for all he has done for all of us throughout his life and may he have Eternal Peace.
Rajan & Kelly Vembu
To the Family of Morris Moerkerke
We wish to send our sympathy on the passing of your father and our good friend.
We are grateful for all Morris did for our VFW Post during Jim Bridger Days... his cooking and time were remarkable... as was he. He will be missed.
Sincerely , VFW Post 1543 Members / Bridger MT
Dear Moerkerke Family
Remembering Morris with nothing but smiles and happy memories. I will miss his garden and his stories.... the beautiful baskets and artwork, his pickles and so much more... but mostly the friendship I've enjoyed so many years. My life was better for knowing both he and Bernice. Today is their anniversary and its good to know they are together again, with laughter and happiness.
Elanna & Larry Skorupa / Bridger, MT
Bob, Cheryl, Judy, Joe, Jan and Tricia - I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. I can't imagine the loss you feel right now. I have so many great memories of your mother and father, so much fun and laughter took place while spending time with your family. My childhood would not have been the same without the opportunity to have you as part of it. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Hugs for all of you-
Billi Little
Denver, CO
DEAR FAMILY OF MORRIS:
WHAT A REUNION IT MUST OF BEEN WHEN MORRIS GOT TO GREET HIS LOVED ONES ABOVE.
OUR MEMORIES REACH BACK TO THE 50'S REMEMBERING ALL THE SPECIAL TIMES WE ENJOYED TOGETHER , WHAT A GREAT GUY, FULL OF LOVE AND FUN.
SITTING HERE THINKING ABOUT THE GOOD OLD DAYS TAKES OUR MIND TO THE COZY CAFE, LOTS
OF FUN AND MORE MEMORIES (GRACE WORKING THERE) , THE DANCE BAND PLAYING AT THE ELKS
WITH BROTHERS AL, GEORGE AND FRED SANFORD, GOING FISHING AND STOPPING AT DOTSON'S BAR IN DARBY FOR ONE BRANDY TO WARM UP THE BODY, PHEASANT HUNTING EVERY MORNING ELK HUNTING WITH JIM DUUS ON THE STOCK FARM , YEP, THOSE REALLY WERE THE GOOD OLD DAYS AND GOOD TIMES.
GRACE REMEMBERS GETTING CHERYL OUT OF THE CRIB FOR SOME HUGS AND KISSES AND GIVING MORRIS THE BUSINESS FOR GIVING CHERYL A (LARD) ICE CREAM CONE, NOT TO FUNNY.
ANYWAY WE ARE HAPPY WE GOT TO SEE MORRIS LAST SUMMER AND SPEND SOME TIME VISITING.
WE ARE PRAYING FOR THE FAMILY KNOWING MORRIS IS IN GOOD HANDS AND WITHOUT PAIN.
LOVE FROM DAVE AND GRACE FOSS
Happy Birthday Dad. We love you and miss you so much. You are close in our hearts and we know that you are watching over us all.
Love you lots,
Tricia
Missing you dad. Summer’s almost over, I should be picking and selling corn, eating your pickles and bbq chicken. But, I am still fishing and using your pole. Pretty soon the colors of autumn will be here. That will be the season which reminds me so much of you. I will hold close to the memories. Love you. Judy
Dad-Miss you lots. I know you are close in heart, watching over us all. We had a nice Thanksgiving and knew you were with us as well. Judy did a nice job on the turkey (must have been all those years watching you-ha). I love you lots, Tricia
Dad-two years ago today you went home. I still miss you every day but gentle reminders bring me smiles. Love you
Judy