Norlene Inez Morgan

Norlene Inez Morgan, 82, passed away suddenly but peacefully on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023. She was born in Ireton, Iowa, on Aug. 29, 1940, at the family farm, with her aunt Francis in attendance. Her parents were Henry and Beatrice Ramhorst. She grew up on the farm with one older brother, Darrel, and two younger sisters, Gail and Lu Eva. She was her mom’s right-hand girl in the kitchen, winning many 4-H ribbons for her baking and sewing. She and her siblings also drove tractor and helped with the daily chores required to raise pigs and chickens, as well as harvesting soybeans and corn.

After graduating from high school, she attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, South Dakota, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in teaching. Her first teaching position involved pioneering the Home Economics course at the Philip SD High School. She deservedly took pride in single-handedly writing the curriculum and creating a successful program “from scratch.” A teacher at heart, she enjoyed passing on skills that would benefit her students for a lifetime.

During this time, she rented a room from Homer and Laura Morgan, where she met Keith Morgan, who would become her husband and love of her life. They married on June 27, 1964. She spoke warmly of her deep affection for her mother-in-law, Laura. Later, she gladly opened her home and cared for her during her final years.

Soon after she married Keith, they started their family with their first daughter, Holly, followed 18 months later by their second daughter, Juli. She was head- over- heels to be the mom of two little girls! Eight years later, their oldest son Todd was born. Landon soon followed 16 months later. Six years later, the baby of the family, Travis, was born. She adored her boys and loved nothing more in all her life than being a mom. She often affectionately referred to her kids as the “girls,” the “boys,” and Travis!

After moving to Billings, she continuously hosted whole families and single people in her family’s house. She tended to their needs as well as those of her family with tireless diligence. She passed on her homemaking skills by patiently teaching her girls how to sew their own clothes by fourth grade, and very early handing them the responsibility of meal planning, and cleaning once a week … all the while packing coolers and ironing dress shirts to ready Keith for his weekly out-of-town sales routes … not to mention being on constant alert to the ever-present likelihood that “the boys” and Travis were conjuring up some shenanigans. She did her best to avert disastrous endings; sometimes her efforts were successful and sometimes not!

With her history and love of sewing, she found herself working most often as a seamstress. Norlene was the go-to person to help with her grandchildren’s school dance dresses and a blessing to her church family with all things sewing. She was most recently employed at All Color Embroidery Services. She was a dedicated asset to the company and often expressed her gratitude for the way “those young people” treated her and were always willing to help her. She had no plans to stop working, to the mild chagrin of her family!

She is survived by her loving husband, Keith; children, Holly (David) Ware of Billings, Juli (Jan) Horn of Dallas, Texas, Todd (Anaise) Morgan of Billings, Landon (Mary) of Billings, Travis (Sonny) of Billings; grandchildren, Brooke, Lexi, Hanelie, Mykala, Sarah, Michael, Caitlyn, Giana, Isabella, Raigen, and Key’ one brother, Darrel Ramhorst; and one sister Lu Eva Halweg.

She was preceded in death by her father. Henry; her mother, Beatrice; her sister, Gail; mother- and father-in-law, Homer and Laura Morgan; and son-in-law, Phillip Moncada.

She was a woman of faith and wisdom, and will be remembered by her steadfast devotion to God, her generous kindness, and her words, though few, which were full of wisdom.

The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 2, at New Life Church, 3950 Temple Place, Billings, MT 59106.

In remembrance of Norlene, please make donations to Abba’s Haven Camp through New Life Church.