Robert "Bob" Morse

Robert “Bob” Morse, 87, of Seneca, SD, passed away Friday, January 21, 2011 at Maryhouse in Pierre.

Mass of Christian Burial were held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Seneca with Fr. Joji Itukulapati officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery with military honors. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday, January 24, 2011 followed by a spiritual wake service at 7:00 p.m. at the church.

Robert Bruce Morse was born October 21, 1923, on the family farm at Seneca, SD to Earl Dunbar and Leta Muriel (Awde) Morse.  He was the fifth of nine children born to them.  Bob attended local grade school and went to Brookings Agricultural School to complete his high school education.

He and four of his brothers enlisted in WWII armed forces and all served their country at the same time.  Bob felt the Marine Corps, in which he served, was the far superior.  Leta spent many hours in prayer watching out the kitchen window for the safe return of her men.  Upon discharge from the service, Bob married Esther Schaefer in Hoven, SD on November 20, 1946.  When he was a very young boy, he traveled to Hoven with his dad and told him “Someday I will marry a girl from this town”.  They continued to live and farm the land that the Morse Brothers (Carl and Earl) settled on in 1909.  It was Bob’s goal to see the 100 year anniversary; he faithfully farmed this land until he was beyond 85 years old.  In 2009, Bob was the proud recipient of the Morse Century Farm award.

Bob loved his land; he was not a believer in big time farming, as was obvious by his equipment and methods.  He was grateful for the earth God gave him and required little to survive.  During the lean years, Bob and Esther incorporated a dairy herd to make ends meet, and Bob began a fertilizer/weed spraying service.  These ventures provided for the four daughters born to them:  Margaret Ann (John) Miller, Karen Marie Helke, Nadine Esther (Rodney) Peters, all of Pierre, SD and Janet Elaine (Wayne) VanderVorste of Ft. Pierre, SD.

Bob was active in The American Legion and was commander of the organization a number of years.  He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, a faith which he was not born into.  During a bloody battle in WWII, Bob promised God if he was returned home safely he would spend the rest of his life practicing the Catholic faith.

Bob and Esther began snowbirding in Pharr, Texas.  There they made many friends and enjoyed the winter, but always hurried back to South Dakota to "get into the fields".  Another great love of Bob's was card playing and 'coffee time' at the Seneca Senior Citizens Center or the Seneca Fire Station, where he gathered with the guys for morning coffee and solving of world problems.  His dry sense of humor will be remembered by many, his opinions on a number of subjects were never kept to himself.

Bob is survived by his four daughters; two sisters: Vera (Morse) Donlan of Illinois, LaVerne (Morse) Spangler of Faulkton, two brothers: Jonathon Morse of Kentucky and Camden Morse, Kansas; his cousin, Lois (Awde) Long of Sioux Falls; many nieces and nephews, one of whom has been a special person to Bob, Donald Liechti of Seneca.  His help and concern for Bob and Esther can never be repaid.  Survivors also include five grandchildren: Joel Christopher (Jessica) Filler, Pierre, SD, Adrienne Ann Miller/Jeff Taylor, Greeley, CO, Erica Leigh Miller (Tim) Noteboom, Spearfish, SD, Rachel Erin Filler (Eric) Bauer, Volga, SD and Erin Ashlee Miller, Mankato, MN; four great grandchildren: Jaden Briant Filler, Maple Jeann Taylor, Treighton Morse Noteboom and Zane Michael Noteboom.

Preceding him in death were his beloved wife, Esther; his parents; an infant sister; three brothers: Donald, Dale, Everard (Dutch) and one sister, Ethel (Morse) Liechti.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Bob’s arrangements.