Doris LaVonne Morris

The last living family member of her generation, Doris LaVonne Schulz Morris, age 95, passed from this life on October 31, 2024 in Glendale, AZ. She was born on November 7, 1928, to Carl August Schulz and Esther Pederson Schulz. Doris was a faithful wife, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and loyal friend to many.

Doris was a native of Forman, North Dakota, relocating to Arizona in 1945 where she met the love of her life and husband, Clem, becoming the caring mother of Robert, Phillip, Phyllis and Lois. Doris worked as a supervisor at Motorola for several years then as the owner of a thriving beauty shop in Pine, AZ. Doris was successful at everything she did because of her hard work and exceptional work ethic.

Doris graduated from North Phoenix High School in 1946. As a young graduate from beauty school, Doris told stories of working at Duncan’s Beauty Shop next to the Westward Ho in downtown Phoenix where she worked on many clients including the famous wrestler, Gorgeous George, a young Rose Mofford, and several Phoenix Rodeo queens. She loved to brag about giving all her grandsons and great-grandsons their first haircuts.

In 1971, Clem and Doris retired to Pine, AZ to their beloved cabin in the forest. After purchasing the property in 1956, they spent many years building their retreat from the Phoenix heat. Once living there full time, they continued to add on to and update the cabin for another 30 years. Like their children, their grandchildren grew up exploring the vast forest behind the cabin with Doris taking them on many adventures of fossil and Arizona diamond hunting, hiking, fishing, and mistletoe gathering.

Doris worked painstakingly for over 40 years on the genealogy of the Morris and Schulz families, with her extensive and meticulous research resulting in nearly 60 notebooks full of family history, documents, and artifacts. Her other favorite past times were baking, crocheting, listening to the ASU football and baseball games, cutting firewood, sewing, painting, building the amazing rock wall in the front yard, and taking fishing trips with Clem. She has left a legacy of crocheted items, handmade clothing, including her wedding dress, handmade Christmas ornaments and countless hand-painted cards and pictures. She was also an avid walker, only slowing down in her early 90’s.

Doris supported and, when necessary, nursed her loving husband of 64 years, who suffered many health issues. Truly, the light dimmed when Clem passed in 2012. Also preceding Doris in death were her parents, Carl and Esther, her brothers Edwin “Bud” and Gaylord and sister, Inona “Nonie” Coburn. She is survived by her sons Robert (Jana) and Phil (Mirna), daughters Phyllis (Larry) and Lois (Doyle); 11 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and a host of loving family and friends.

The funeral service for Doris will be held Saturday, November 16th at 10:00 am at West Resthaven Funeral Home, 6450 West Northern Ave in Glendale, AZ.

A gathering of family and friends will be held immediately after the service at the Valley Pentecostal Church fellowship hall located at 6550 North 51st Ave in Glendale, AZ.