Mildred Claire Morrison

August 20, 1922- October 18, 2010 Mildred Morrison passed away quietly in the early morning hours of October 18, 2010. Her family and friends grieve her loss, but know that she is happy, standing hand-in-hand with the love of her life. Her husband Bud (Louis Arch "Bud" Morrison, Jr.) left the world far too young, in October 1980. The life that she and Bud built, the happiness they shared, and the family they raised together, defined Mildred's life for nearly 70 years. For the love of Bud, she endured fire, flood, and the loss of a child. Thirty years after his death, her face still lit up when she spoke of him, her smile never as bright as when she recalled stories of their times together. Mildred is survived by her brother, Bob, of Loomis; her four children: Kathy Fiscus of Chico (husband Tom), Ken Morrison of Oakland (wife Laurie), Sylvia Keller Seagle of Chico (husband Ed), and Ellen Morrison of San Carlos (husband Ken Lann); and her five grandchildren: Mike Fiscus, Rob and Ryan Morrison, Mallory Morrison Lann, and Ashley Keller; and extended family members. She is pre-deceased by her sister Lois and brother Jim. Her family would like to extend its warmest thanks to Mitzi Morrison, recent widow of Bud's brother Gayle. Mitzi and Gayle provided warmth, kindness, and loving care to Mildred for the many years since Bud's death. Mildred was born Mildred Claire Hansen in Loomis, California into a farming family. Throughout her childhood she helped in the pear orchards and worked long hours in the fruit packing shed. Her tall, slender frame and vibrant good health made her a perfect candidate for basketball, a sport she enjoyed in her high school years and remembered fondly long after. She met Bud as a shy young student at Placer Junior College (now Sierra College), stepping onto the school bus that Bud drove part-time while a student. Bud's teasing and flirting turned her head as her beauty had turned his. Their parents disapproved of the courtship and attempted to dampen their romance, sending Mildred to live with her sister in San Diego, where she worked as a secretary for the War Department during the height of the Second World War. Bud, thwarted by his father's claim of hardship, was kept from enlisting, and kept from Mildred, instead managing a sawmill in rustic Challenge, California. In the end, their parents efforts failed to overcome their love. Mil and Bud married June 24, 1944. Bud and Mil began their life together in a one-room cabin with outdoor plumbing in Challenge, where they started their family. An attempt to thaw the frozen pipes during a particularly bitter cold snap in the winter of 1949 resulted in a fire that engulfed the cabin. Mildred, Bud, and their two children, Kathy and Ken moved to Yuba City in 1950, just in time for the birth of their third child, Sylvia. 1952 brought hardship to the family. Bud fell ill with encephalitis, Sylvia was struck with polio, and their fourth child, Christopher, was stillborn. In 1955, the family narrowly escaped, with baby Ellen in tow, the flood that devastated Yuba City, leaving their home and all of their belongings in four feet of mud. By the late 1950s, Bud's lumber transportation business began to thrive. Mildred packed the kids' lunches every day and volunteered with their activities most afternoons. Three girls kept the sewing machine busy, but never too busy to keep an eye and an ear out for Bud's homecoming. Bud was such a fan of trucks of any kind, his engine was easy to hear as we looked out the window, ready to be the first to shout "Dad's home!" Mildred served as a Camp Fire Girl Leader and came along to Camp Fire Camp as a volunteer cook, one of the few times she ever left Bud's side. She volunteered as a Cub Scout Den Mother for Ken's troop and began her long service as a volunteer at Rideout Memorial Hospital. By the time she retired her Pink Lady jumper, she had volunteered 11,000 hours. Mildred remembered the years at home with a young family as the happiest of her life. Even though Bud's business and cattle-raising "hobby" canceled many a vacation, Mildred would laugh softly remembering Sunday drives, the occasional weekend in Fort Bragg, picnics during which we feasted on her delicious fried chicken, and fishing trips with the family. Bud was a huge fan of dessert. Even though Mildred's parents hadn't allowed sugar in the house, she rose to the challenge. Her peach pie with honey drizzled over the top and cheesecake were family favorites. Always an active member and supporter of St. Andrews Presbyterian church, Mildred became even more involved after Bud's death, helping dispense food to needy families and lending a hand wherever she was needed. Mildred's volunteerism continued to grow, as she overcame her natural shyness to assist with English Language Learners at Yuba City High and spend every other Saturday hosting guests of the Sutter County Museum. Her family is respecting her wishes by holding a family-only graveside service, where she will be laid to rest next to Bud. In recognition and respect for her generosity, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice on her behalf. Send Condolences at www.appealdemocrat.com