The memorial service for Atwell Frank (Morey) Morehouse, of Albert Lea, will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Grace Lutheran Church. The Rev. Todd Walsh and the Rev. Andrea Myers will officiate. Interment will be in Lakewood Cemetery, Albert Lea.
Morey Morehouse died on Tuesday morning Oct. 6, 2009, at Thorne Crest Retirement Center. He was 98 years of age.
Morey was born in Minneapolis on June 27, 1911, to Annie Laurie (Ruud) and Orville B. Morehouse. He graduated from Minneapolis Washburn High School and attended the University of Minnesota. As a young man he worked for Dayton’s as a window designer. Later he worked for the Haugen Window Display Company in Minneapolis.
He joined the Navy in 1943, serving aboard L.S.M. 54 in the Pacific Amphibious Force, making landings in the Philippines and Borneo. He achieved the rank of Electrician First Class.
He married Mildred (Millie) Mershon in 1943. After World War II he returned to Albert Lea. He worked for Meir Wolf and Anderson Furniture Stores, and for many years as a salesman for Famous Brands. In 1971, he went into partnership with Merlin Schreiber and founded M & M Furniture Inc., which operated, due to a lease agreement, as Herberger Furniture.
He was a member of the American Legion, a life member of the VFW and a charter member of the Moose Lodge, achieving Legion and Fellowship degrees. He was also a five-star secretary and honorary past governor of the Moose.
Morey was an active member Alcoholics Anonymous for 41 years, serving as both president and secretary and as a member of the board of officers. For many years he was a lecturer at the Fountain Lake Treatment Center, and he sponsored and guided many young people as they worked to achieve sobriety.
He was responsible for helping to change many lives, and will always be remembered by those he touched.
Morey and Millie moved to Thorne Crest in 1992. An active resident, often helping out the staff and the neighbors, he served as both president and vice president of the residents’ council. Morey was an avid fisherman, a practiced calligrapher, dog lover and builder of intricate model sailing ships. For some years he was a member of the Thorne Crest Singers and, with friends, was known as a sometime practical joker.
He was preceded in death by his father; mother; sister, Joyce Chamberlain; wife, Mildred Mershon Morehouse; and son, Dennis King Morehouse.
He is survived by his daughter, Diane Morehouse (Don Salisbury) of Menomonie, Wis., and by his special friend, Izola Hareid, Albert Lea. He is also survived by nephews: Richard Chamberlain, Sycamore, Ill., and Roger M. Johnson (Judy) of Bloomington; niece, Mary Kay Peterson, Eden Pairie; and by great-nieces: Elizabeth Peterson and Kristen Peterson; and great-nephews: David Peterson and Dennis Paul Johnson (Nuala).
Memorials should be directed to the Ulstad AA Club, 1005 Ulstad, Ave., Albert Lea, or to Crossroads Community Hospice, 404 W. Fountain St., Albert Lea.