Anita Morrell

Many would agree that life is a gift and that our life’s journey is what we make of it no matter what may come our way. Anita Morrell was a gracious and resilient woman who embraced each moment and filled her days with blessings for those around her in every way. She deeply loved the family she viewed as a priceless treasure as being a wife, homemaker, and mother were roles she cherished over every other. Anita was kindhearted, generous, and someone who wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, especially when she was passionate about something. The memories she leaves behind will remain forever near and dear to the hearts of the many people whose lives she touched.

As the twenties dawned in America, Ballroom dancing was popular, Broadway was at an all time peak, and it was in 1920 that women were first given the right to vote. Amidst this vibrant decade there was much to celebrate in one young family from Holland, Michigan, since it was on January 14, 1920, that they welcomed the birth of a healthy baby girl. Anita was welcomed into the world by her adoring parents, Victor and Anna (Klimaszewski) Cherven, and was the second of four children in her family including her older brother, Victor, and her younger siblings, Selma and Donna. Anita attended local schools including Holland High School. Holland, nestled along the eastern shores of Lake Michigan, is perhaps best known for its Dutch heritage, which serves not only as a part of the city's cultural identity, but the local economy as well since the Tulip Time Festival in May and various Dutch-themed attractions draw thousands of tourists annually. As a high school student; Anita took part in celebrating the community’s Dutch heritage as part of a local group of wooden shoe dancers.

Life was forever changed for Anita after she met the man with whom she would establish the family she adored. His name was Robert Morrell and he was from Plainwell and he worked West Michigan Furniture Company as a traveling salesman. They met at a dance in Saugatuck one fateful evening, beginning a chapter in a love story that would span nearly 40 years. After dating for a time, Anita and Robert married on May 11, 1946. Together they were blessed with four children whom they both adored: Steve, Ron, Tom, and Marcia. Anita fully immersed herself into caring for her family. Although she worked outside of the home, her heart was always truly with her family since when asked what her job was she would say she was a homemaker. Her outside work took her to Valley Metal for a time and later to the paper mill in Plainwell where she worked in clerical and accounting.

When Anita’s family later grew to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Anita couldn’t have been happier. She loved cooking for her family and since Thanksgiving was the perfect excuse to prepare a huge spread, it was always her favorite holiday. Some of Anita’s most requested dishes were her beef stroganoff, Swedish meatballs, and the dish appropriately named “the more you eat the more you want,” which was stuffed peppers without the peppers. She was an excellent seamstress who made several wedding dresses through the years, and who could forget the infamous dinosaur costume she whipped up, too. It was the love of her family that carried Anita through the days, weeks, and months that followed Robert’s death in 1983.

As her 50th class reunion approached, Anita was contacted by an old high school friend, James Hoover. A short time later, they married. They enjoyed their retirement years together until James died in the mid-nineties.

Although caring for her family was always first and foremost in Anita’s life, she made time to pursue her interests as well. She enjoyed bowling and was part of several leagues as the years passed by. Anita loved to read, especially romance novels, and when it came to music, she enjoyed The Big Bands. She was part of the “Stitch and Chatter Club” where she did both some sewing and some visiting with her friends. Anita was very organized and articulate, too, as she kept journals of what she read and also of many of the happenings in her life.

As the years took their toll, Anita’s health began to diminish, and she moved into assisted living. She was excited to live with her good friend, Maxine O'Meara, at the Life Care Center. Together they later moved into the William Crispe Community House in Plainwell.

A loving wife, devoted mother, and true friend, Anita Morrell brought so much joy to those around her. Although she could be feisty at times, her heart was as generous as they come. She was fun-loving and hardworking, too, taking in so much of what the world had to offer. With a life that spanned nearly a century, Anita created a vibrant collection of memories that will be cherished by those she leaves behind. She will be dearly missed.

Anita I. Morrell died on February 11, 2011 at Borgess Medical Center. Anita’s family includes her children: Steve (Shirley) Morrell, Ron (Jeanette) Morrell, Jesse Russell, Tom (Karen) Morrell, Marcia (David) Dalrymple, her grandchildren Jayme (Robert Jauregui) Morrell-Jauregui, Larry (Kim) Morrell, Molly (Ryan) Wieber and their children, Brien (Amanda) Morrell, Amy (John) Ryan, Kristy (Brandon) Gaudiano, several great-grandchildren including Connor, Madeline and Katherine, her siblings: Vic Cherven, Selma (Raymond) Michuda, Donna (Charles) Gress, her special niece Mickey Abbey, special friend Maxine O’Meara as well as many other relatives. Anita was preceded in death by her first husband, Robert Morrell in 1983, and her second husband, James Hoover.

Visit with her family and friends, view her life story film and share light refreshments on Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Life Story Funeral Home, Plainwell; 120 S. Woodhams (685-5881). A Funeral will follow on Tuesday 1:00 p.m. at the same location. Please visit Anita’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo, sign her memory book online before coming to the funeral home, or make a memorial donation to William Crispe Community Home.