Julie Ann Morse

Julie Ann Morse, 57, of Polk City passed away Thursday, March 1, 2012 from Grade 4 Glioblastoma Multiforme brain cancer, diagnosed on August 23, 2011. As was true in her life, she died surrounded by her family and friends. The family will greet friends from noon until the Celebration of Life service at 1 PM Saturday March 10th, 2012 at Ankeny Funeral Home - 1510 West 1st Street. Afterwards, the family invites everyone to join them at the American Legion - 114 E. Broadway, Polk City.

Julie was born May 4, 1954 in Des Moines, IA to Darrel and Evelyn Brubaker. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1972 and married her high school sweetheart, Ken, on May 19, 1973. They successfully raised two wonderful children, and enjoyed an active life of travel, supportive companionship, easy laughter, friends, and coast to coast motorcycle trips with memorable photo stops at all state lines.

Julie was passionately committed to her family and friends, and frequently said, “I am lucky, I am so lucky.” She relished spending time with her grandchildren, her horses, riding the pontoon boat on Big Creek Lake, and listening to music.

Supporters of the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and members of the Iowa State Fair 1854 Society, Julie, Ken and her family loved the State Fair, where they enjoyed many happy hours and days. “Every Fair day is a great day”!

An eternal optimist, Julie had a style all of her own that reflected her love of life and peaceful nature. She has been a neighborhood Mom, piano teacher, Cub Scout den mother, pharmacy technician at the Big Creek Pharmacy, and an active member of ABATE of Iowa. For the past 17 years she has been the Office Manager at Morse Equipment Company, the family business, working with her father-in-law, husband, and son.

Julie was a tree-hugger and a founding member of the Polk City Arbor League, a community tree planting organization, where Julie served as Treasurer. Over the past 25 years she and Ken spent countless hours planting trees, educating children, and beautifying Polk City. Their efforts will be enjoyed for many generations.

Besides Ken, her husband of 39 years, she will be missed by family: son Jason Morse and his wife Cara and their children Skylar, Mallory, Rachel and Aaron of Polk City, IA; daughter Katie Heard and her husband Ryan of Urbandale, IA; mother Evelyn Brubaker of Ankeny, IA; brother Dennis Brubaker of Heber Springs, AR; father and mother in-law Lyle and Harriet Morse of Windsor Heights; sisters in-law Janie (John) Young and Deanna Morse; and her extended family and loving friends including Keith Adams, best man at their wedding. She was preceded in death by her father Darrel Brubaker and brother-in-law Erik Alexander.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Kennybrook Village in Grimes, Iowa Methodist Powell 3, and Iowa Hospice for their compassionate care and kindness.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Polk City Arbor League for future tree plantings and beautification within Polk City (P.O. Box 251, Polk City, IA, 50226).