Jack Morton

Jack was born on June 6, 1928 to James Jr. and Lillian (Timm) Morton in Stevens County. He graduated from Hancock Public Schools in 1946. He was confirmed in 1949 and married Charlotte Torgerson on September 3, 1949. They had three daughters, Rhonda, Linda and Joan. On April 29, 1971 a tragic car accident took the lives of Charlotte and Joan. In April of 1974, Jack married Lorraine Pasche and adopted her four children: Pam, Doug, Sue and Stacy. Jack married Lois Tillisch in 1999.

Jack was a dairy farmer southeast of Hancock and then moved to Hancock in 1985, when he retired. He served one term as president of the MN Irrigators Association, served on the Agralite Board, started an underground water study for the state of MN, and served in several church offices at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church. After he retired from farming, he delivered Pioneer Seed Corn for a few years and guided at the Langhei Hills Game Farm. He loved hunting, being outdoors, and helping people. He was fondly known as “Grandpa Jack” to many children and earned his nick name because he was a “Jack of all trades”. He knew a lot about plumbing, electricity, carpentry, welding, and was always willing to try things. In November, 2008, he and Lois moved to Alexandria, MN. He is a member of the Hancock Lions. He is also a member of Boy Scouts of America and is an Eagle Scout.

Jack died on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at the Knute Nelson Home in Alexandria, Minnesota, having lived to reach the age of 81 years.

He is survived by his wife: Lois Morton of Alexandria; children: Rhonda (Loren) Zeltwanger of Goodfield, IL, Linda (Keith) Meichsner of Alexandria, Pam Allen of Van Buren, AR, Doug (RaNae) Morton of Morris, Sue Mathews of Fort Smith, AR and Stacy Bettis of Fort Smith, AR; step-children: Dawn (Todd) Arlander of Pine Island, Tom (Deb) Tillisch of Nebraska, Todd (Diane) Tillisch of Buffalo and Lottie Tillisch of Cosmos; one sister: Jan (Larry) Nelson of Fargo, ND and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife: Charlotte and daughter: Joan; wife: Genevieve; three brothers: Warren, Alan and Timm Morton and his parents.

Pallbearers for the service are: Ken Reese, Don Boone, Steve Dudding, Mark Leighton, Todd Krenz and Mike Miller. Elna Smith will serve as pianist for the service with Gary Smith serving as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.