Gwen C. Morhous

MORHOUS, GWEN C.
Dexter, MI
Formerly of Atlanta, MI

At the amazing age of 99 (and three quarters), Gwen took his last breath Sunday, August 17, 2014 at the Arbor Hospice Residence. He was born November 7, 1914 in Ypsilanti, the son of George Oliver and Mabel (Deist) Morhous. Gwen lived his early life in Ypsilanti, but in the 1980s, he moved to his Northern Michigan cabin on Rush Lake, where he spent 22 years before moving to Dexter. As the picture shows, Gwen loved his cabin on Rush Lake and his Land Rover. There he taught Marc to love and respect nature as they spent many weekend fishing, duck and bird hunting. In his retirement, he taught his grandson, Zac, to love it as well. An architect and proud graduate of the University of Michigan, some of his early projects include Beyer Hospital in Ypsilanti in 1942, and several dorms at EMU. He was very proud of all that he accomplished as an architect. Gwen spent many years on planning commissions, including the Washtenaw County Planning Commission. Even in his retirement, he never stopped designing and inventing. While knocking on heaven's door at Arbor Hospice, we caught him explaining to the nurse how she could construct a device to help him breath so he wouldn't need oxygen. A violin player from a very young age, he loved to play fiddle. His love of music encouraged his grandson, Zac, to take up the violin. He has many great stories of paying his way through college by playing jazz in Detroit. Never one to answer yes or no, as anyone who has ever been in a conversation with Gwen could tell you, he would respond to even the simplest question with an answer of epic proportions. Survivors include a son, Marc (Kathy) Morhous of Dexter; Marc's mother, Bonnie Lausted of Chelsea; a grandson, Zachary of Dexter; and a brother-in-law, Rodney Hutchinson of Chelsea. Gwen was preceded in death by a brother, Edwin "Bud" in 2002, and sister, Dorothy Hutchinson in 2013. Memorial contributions may be made to Arbor Hospice, 2366 Oak Valley Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Arrangements were handled by Cole Funeral Chapel, Chelsea.