Morris Allen Page

Morris Allen Page, 89, of West Des Moines, Iowa, beloved husband of Lillie Dolores “Dee”, nee Willig; loving father of Lynn Page Winston (David Winston), and Mark A. Page (Steve Wildi); dear “Papaw” to granddaughter Joanna Winston (Cody Saveraid), and great-grandsons Truman and Sawyer Winston Saveraid; big brother to Linda Vaughn; fond cousin and uncle to many; died of complications following emergency surgery after a fall. As per his wishes, private services for the immediate family are planned at a future date.

Morris was the eldest of four children born in a tiny farmhouse in rural Slater, Missouri to Allen Linwood and Goldie, nee Morris, Page. He spent his early years helping them tend to livestock and work land with horse-drawn implements, hunting, fishing, and tormenting his three baby sisters – Golda (McClelland), Linda (Vaughn) and Donna (Osment) – the stories of which he delighted in recalling vividly-well into his later years when his memory was a bit jumbled on details in other areas.

Golda’s friend, Dee, had a girlhood crush on Morris and despite a logical reason or obligation to ensure his future happiness, Golda introduced her brother to Dee. They married in 1958, and the couple celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in September 2023.

Morris and Dee lived briefly in Fort Hood, Texas where Morris served as a U.S. Army medic 1957-1959, but returned to Missouri where the couple started their family. It was during this time Morris was called to the ministry. While working his way through college and seminary, he spent his early career as pastor at Christian Church Disciples of Christ-churches in the small rural communities of Concord and Waverly, and then after full-ordination, at Laddonia and Lathrop – all in Missouri. In 1982, he was installed as the Area Minister for the Northwest Area Christian Churches of Mid-America headquartered in Cameron, Missouri, a post he faithfully served until his retirement in January 2000. Morris was very much a part of the lives of many families – often throughout their entire lives – officiating for the dedication services of infants, baptisms, weddings and funerals.

In 2008, Morris and Dee moved to West Des Moines, Iowa to be in closer proximity to their families.

Morris was a man of resourcefulness, humor and compassion and often took his young family along on Sunday afternoon pastoral visits to shut ins, hospitals and nursing homes. This was partially to ensure that his children learned to see beyond their own circumstances and appreciate the needs of others – and to help spot gas station prices less than 29.9 cents per gallon. He was patient and kind, and always found good in everyone. He was a staunch advocate of human rights, diversity, equity and inclusion. He never swore or called people names – except once calling another driver a “snot face” for cutting him off in traffic, which was deemed warranted by others present. He was also unfailingly dependable and honest, except when it came to cards and games (the word “fudger” defined as one who fibs is STILL not in the official Scrabble dictionary).

Morris and Dee taught their children to love and respect nature through weekend drives through the countryside and forests, and on the family’s annual two-week camping trips to the Rocky Mountains and beyond. Morris and Dee ensured that their children had music and dance lessons and always made time to have dinner as a family and play cards and games together. These traditions grew to include the spouses of their children, and their granddaughter and great-grandsons. Everyone in the family had deep, personal, and unique relationships with its patriarch and none will ever see the majesty in a beautiful mountain, breathe in the fresh scent of a pine forest, quietly stumble upon a deer, or hear a babbling brook and not remember him. Morris was preceded in death by his parents, and sisters Golda and Donna.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to West Des Moines Christian Church or DMARC, the human services network serving those in need in the West Des Moines area.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mclarensresthavenchapel.com for the Page family.