Virginia E. Morton

Virginia (Ginger) Ellen Haase Morton, 99, passed away July 18, 2020, in her home at Lake Pepin Plaza I.
A native of Lake City, MN., Ginger also resided in Slidell, LA. (27 yrs.), Plymouth, MN. (9 yrs.), New Orleans, LA. (11 yrs.). Ginger on September 14, 1920 was the firstborn to Lawrence E. and Ellen C. (Halling) Haase in Lake City, MN. At First Lutheran Church, she was baptized November 7, 1920 by Rev. Valberg and confirmed May 1934 by Rev. Bomgren. She graduated Lake City (Lincoln) High School (1938a National Honor Society designee, was their orchestra's first-chair violinist, and sang in the choir), Minneapolis Business College (1939-Executive Secretary) and Donaldson School of Real Estate in Louisiana (1984).
She was married to Peter H. Kanz, Lt. Col., USAF, July 1943, of Minneiska, MN., 24 yrs. (deceased May 2000) divorced, then married Samuel H. Morton, Sgt., USAF, October 1967, of Millsboro, PA., 33+yrs. (deceased May 2001). Both were WWII Veterans and honored after death with bricks displayed at The National World War II Museum in New Orleans.
She traveled in Europe with her family as the Air Force transferred for tours of duty several times to: Tripoli, Libya; Athens, Greece, (baked & decorated the King's birthday cake, saw Princess Elizabeth before she was crowned Queen of England ); Munich, Germany, (favorite family roots); & Bordeaux, France, (was the Women's Officers Club, Past President; was a Grey Lady; was a Cub Scout den mother; began a Kindergarten & visited Lourdes). From France it enabled visits to: Madrid & Barcelona, Spain, (saw a bull fight); Venice & Rome, Italy, (was blessed by the Pope); Switzerland; Belgium; The Netherlands: Rotterdam, (during tulip time, saw windmills and ate cheese); and saw the tiny village of Maduradam. To reminisce over the years: we viewed lots of home movies; treasured the acquired souvenir artifacts (plates, cups & saucers, spoons and accessories).
Early on in her life, she was accustomed to packing and moving: 12 times before getting married; 18 times as a military wife; and 11 more times after that=some 40+locations. Ending up back home in Lake City, December 2005. She had no desire to go through another Katrina, hurricane!
Later, she worked for Sears, Roebuck and Co. for 25+ years in New Orleans, LA., and Minneapolis, MN., which included 5.5 yrs. as Secretary & Assistant Manager of the Customer Convenience Center in Minnetonka. Also, Credit Department job titles: Correspondent; Department Head; Supervisor; Secretary to the Credit Manager & Training Director, retiring in 1984. Then as a Realtor in Slidell, Louisiana for Coldwell Banker. In 1986 she received five National Awards--the highest was Million Dollar Sales Producer, St. Tammany Parish Board of Realtors. Ginger then worked at Latter & Blum, 16+ years, retiring in 2001. Her retirement gift was a co-worker signed "Doors of New Orleans" framed poster, being the "Queen of Real Estate" at 80 years young!
Beloved Mother of: Judith Ellyn (Michael/deceased) Mooring, Fayetteville, AR., James Peter Kanz, Sun, LA., Janette Lynn (Wayne) Seymour, Slidell, LA; Step-mother of daughters: Betty (Lauren) Rinaudo, Bossier City, LA.; Diane, Linda, Kathryn, and son, James all of Pennsylvania; Grandmother of Jason P.(Janell) Kanz, Joy C.(Josh) Feraci, Benjamin P. Dohre and Rachel C. Dohre, all of Slidell, LA., and Kristen
G. Mooring, in Sarasota, FL; Step-Grandmother of Andrew, Lyn, Erik and Joshua, all of PA; Rebecca L. Seymour, Greenbrier, TN.; Great-Grandmother(GG) of Hannah, Allison and Chad Stockstill; Lydia, Abigail and Benjamin P. Dohre, Jr.; Rani and Breece Kanz, all of Slidell, LA; Step-Great-Grandmother of Devin Harper, Kapya & Kyl Hazen; Great-Great-Grandmother of 3 year old, Noelle Christine White, daughter of Hannah Stockstill.
Ginger is survived in MN by two sisters: Joyce M. (Haase) Zillgitt, Lake City & Gloria A. (Steve) Shedlov, Rogers; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Haase, Faribault, & Ramona Kanz, Wabasha. Ginger was preceded in death by: her parents, aunts & uncles & most cousins; brother, Vernon Haase, sister & brother-in-law, LaVonne & Fred Fick, & brother-in-law, Curt Zillgitt; Kanz-brothers & sisters-in-law: Steve & Violet, along with their 2 sons, John & Grace, Lawrence & Dorothy, Francis, and Alvina. Morton-sisters & brothers-in-law: Emily & Ed Mark, Elizabeth & Bob Lohman. Because Ginger & Pete, were originally from MN, had so many nieces, nephews, grand & now great nieces & nephews, they are really too numerous to mention them. All are special to her. It's the same way for Sam's family from PA.
Next to her being back home, after her mom & dad died, was her love of being closer to her immediate family as they married and had children of their own in LA., the New Orleans, Slidell & Lacombe areas. The down south family remained there. Ginger always made an effort to travel to spend time visiting with each of her kids, grand & great-grandkids to remain connected. In the summer of 2018, was a wonderful "last" vacation trip that was the final memory she had of being with most all of them. She looked forward to holiday cards & photos. Communications by email, regular mail or phone calls helped her to feel remembered. More currently, seeing photos & videos of family via Facebook was a most fun way to remember them change as they got older, too. She had a huge heart to love ALL her family.
So, besides ALL the moving and traveling, in Slidell, LA., Ginger was able to do the following: She was an active member or held office in: The Lioness Club, President (received the prestigious Melvin Jones Award); VFW Post #5735 Auxiliary, President there & at Louisiana District #9; local AARP, officer; LA Women's Council of Realtors, President, plus 5 other real estate related organizations; STCA(computer club member); 6 groups within First Presbyterian Church while a member: an ordained deaconess, elder, and choir member; Young at Heart Group (exercise); Slidell Community Choir member; Organ Club; and 5 card club groups: 3 Bridge-the first in 1960 while in Gentilly Woods, NOLA; Canasta & "500". In times past, she was in a bowling league in New Orleans at Mardi Gras Bowl. Those connections led her to a love of anything Mardi Gras. She had a blast in activities, being a maid in the Krewe of Penates (a smaller Mardi Gras Ball) held each year in January. Two of her favorite parades in New Orleans were the Krewe's of Endymion & Bacchus. She enjoyed hearing the marching bands, especially. Because of her avid involvement, all together, she went to 25 meetings a month. How she ever found time to help me with my 2 kids, as I was a single parent, I never knew! Her example fueled how I was able to believe & trust that God Almighty would help me to help her!
Since returning to Lake City in December of 2005 after Hurricane Katrina, she was a member of her home church, First Lutheran Church, once again. She was involved in church: attending bible studies, roundtable dinner groups and sang alto in the choir. Many times, the congregation celebrated her birthday, with singing & serving cake. It made her feel so special, to be honored. More recently, she participated in the church anniversary forum by speaking about childhood past times from memory. She also continued being an active member of the VFW, now Post #8729 Auxiliary, by transferring. She was involved with Mayo's Hospital Auxiliary and Friends of the Library, as well. She'd continued to enjoy
various card groups, bingo, and traveling on "sister trips". The highly momentous one, was Sweden to visit reconnected cousins in 2001. She also liked to catch up with high school classmates, keep in touch with family and enjoy new friends.
Family and friends, so hoped & prayed that this matriarch reach the century mark of "100" years young! It's been proven the our heart beat begins way before birth! Missing that supposed mark by 2 "earthly" months, 2 days, I believe that she passed up 100! Hallelujah! After the graveside, for those who are able to participate, we'll do the famed New Orleans celebration of life "Second Line", white Kleenex (provided) to wave as we wander around to "The Saints Go Marching In"!!
By the way, Ginger will be joining US, as she IS IN HEAVEN, now 33 years young (we ALL will be), able to sing, dance, listen to or play music. It is my way of giving her the sendoff she deserves. Well folks, she truly ran her race, went through the Pearl Gates, arrived at the Sapphire Throne of the Grace of God, hanging out with Jesus, who is humanly sitting at His Father's right hand, keeping us full of His AGAPE Love = The Supernatural Transmission of His Electric Energy Force that keeps heaven so "Son "shine bright, that NO darkness could ever survive there!
At this time, because of the C-19 virus, the graveside service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Lake City, MN on August 8, 2020 at 11 a.m. Pastor Duane Holst will officiate. The family requests any donations be made to: First Lutheran Church, 100 Peace Ridge, Lake City, MN 55041-5500; Mahn Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be placed at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.

It may seem that Ginger's life was all about accomplishments and receiving awards. From an early age she embraced a care and concern for others shown to her by her parents and church family. If the love isn't there, you don't become a people person. She loved interacting with others, wherever she was, whatever she did. At a time when hardships and difficulties were commonplace, she was maturing into one fine lady. She was methodical in her routine, as she planned out her day, filling up each time slot. She thrived on new experiences, finding adventure and fulfillment in each one. First impressions? Did she take a course in how to talk, act, & dress? Perhaps. Maybe she was just Ginger, simply being who God created her to be. We are not born with all the bells and whistles to get through our lives. We acquire what we need through love and family and long-lasting friendships developed along the way. So many adjectives could describe who she was! Most of all, she was God's child, being true to His image: beautiful, perfect, complete, lacking nothing! She overcame each fear by playing games and hearing music! G, GG, GGG & GGGG is with her heavenly family. As she sees the many she knew, hugs and conversation will continue. Oh! But she will be full of laughter, to the point of crying, that's how she always felt when distance & time separated her from her loved ones.

SHE was our MOM and BEST friend*****ALL OUR LOVE, Judy, Jimmy, Jan & Seymour

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Graveside Service

AUG 8. 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM (CST)

Oakwood Cemetery, Lake City
Lake City, MN 55041