The Morgenson children, with deep sorrow, announce that their sweet, beautiful mother, Margretta Evelyne Olson Morgenson, died in her sleep Monday, Aug. 31, 2015, at 83 surrounded by her family. 

Gretta was born in Albert Lea Oct. 10, 1931. She spent her youth attending Albert Lea schools and graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield, where she majored in religion and was a member of the Manitou singers. There she met John “Jack” Cooke Morgenson and married him in December 1952. Gretta started her married life with Jack in San Diego when he was in the Marine Corps. After the Marine Corps., Jack and Gretta and their five children were transferred to many states during Jack’s 35-year tenure with JC Penney Co. They lived in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri and Connecticut, until retirement in Plano, Texas. Their most recent home was in St. George, Utah.

During their 62 years together, Gretta and Jack loved traveling to countries such as Canada, Ireland, Poland, Spain, Scotland and Australia, just to name a few. Their most treasured vacations were their 19 summers up in Park Rapids on Long Lake. There they enjoyed spending time with loved ones and dear friends.

Gretta had a passion for singing in the church choir, Bible studies, traveling, book clubs, gardening, painting and — most of all — her love for Jesus Christ. She was the most nurturing, loving and encouraging mother. She was happy and positive right up to her last breath. Her smile never left her.

Gretta was predeceased by her husband, John “Jack” Cooke Morgenson; son, David John Morgenson; parents Matie Andrea Ackland Olson — who also died on Aug. 31, but in 1990, and at 83 years old — and Chester Marion Olson; sister, Marian Martha Olson; and grandparents Margaret Siblerud Ackland and Peter Andrew Ackland, plus Sarah Peterson Olson and Carl Emil Olson.

Gretta is survived  by sons John (Joyleen) of Layton, Utah, and Eric (Gina) of Laguna Niguel, California; daughters Monica (Pip) Sivakumar of Huntsville, Utah, and Erica (Bryan) Holland of Dallas; brothers Roger Emil (Nadiene) of Albert Lea  and Mark Chester Kenneth Olson of Bemidji; sister, Kathleen Andrea Olson, of Minneapolis; along with brother-in-law, Don (Leslie) Morgenson, of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Surviving cousins, nieces and nephews live far and wide, while her surviving aunt, Clarissa Ackland Harvey, 95, lives in Albert Lea. Gretta has 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wounded Warriors fund at support.woundedwarriorproject.org in memory of Gretta Morgenson.