Clear, 30° F
(Oct. 10, 1933 - Aug. 22, 2017)
Isabelle Morrison loved to learn, laugh, and help others in any way she could. She was impishly, joyously playful; as well as a gifted seamstress, teacher, handywoman, storyteller, cook, dancer, loving mother, friend, and could do a drum roll on the head of a dime. She helped re-roof a trailer at age 69, despite being afraid of heights, just to prove to herself that she still could. At 70, she was digging post holes in Colorado, because she could, despite being asked to wait for help.
She was free-spirited, generous with her time and her love; and, if you were lucky, you were gifted with an abundantly long, enriching conversation. She was everything an old friend could be.
She was born the second of five daughters, on October 10, 1933, to Edward P. and Wilhelmina Schmidt, in Hazelton, N.D. She was given no middle name, as she didn’t need one.
After Isabelle graduated as co-valedictorian from Powell High School, she took computer classes at Northwest College. She spent much of her working life as a bookkeeper; the early years in banking in Powell and Billings, and the middle years as co-owner of J&I Auto and Truck Parts in Lovell, Wyoming. She also taught first-aid classes and sewing lessons. While Powell was home, she also lived briefly in California, Mississippi, and Colorado. She married and divorced twice.
Isabelle passed away on August 22, 2017, age 83, in the ER of the Powell Valley Hospital.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Minnie; and two sisters, Evangeline Sanders and Lillian Urbanski. Survivors include two younger sisters, Eileen Boyce and Rose Godfrey; her three children, Glada Nolan, Jesse Morrison, and Suzanne Morrison; three grandchildren, Zachary Cummings, Tucker Nolan, and Lexi Ray; three great-grandchildren, several beloved cousins, and many others she guided along the way.
A celebration of Isabelle’s life will take place on her birthday, October 10, 2017, at Hope Lutheran Church, 588 Ave H, Powell, at 2 p.m. Reception to follow.
