Eugene (Gene) Wayne Morse was born August 21, 1943 in Sutherland, Nebraska to Lloyd Justice and Lydia Marie Young Morse. He passed away Friday, January 6, 2023 while fishing in Kirkwood Park.
Gene grew up in Gothenburg, Nebraska, the youngest of four siblings. With grandparents and extended family nearby, their childhood was filled with time exploring and playing with cousins, and frequent celebrations at the family homes. During Gene’s high school and college years, the Morse family operated the Gothenburg Pony Express Station where Gene learned his business acumen as the primary manager of the gift shop and museum. Gene and his brothers also learned trade skills as they worked alongside their father at his store, Gothenburg Paint & Glass.
Following graduation from Gothenburg High School in 1961, Gene attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, following his brother, Ron, as a member of Farmhouse fraternity. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology in 1965. That summer he married Lettie Jean Clark of Ainsworth, Nebraska, whom he had met at the Wesley Foundation where they were both active. He continued his education at St. Paul School of Theology, graduating in 1968 with a Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained Elder in the Nebraska Conference of the United Methodist Church and has been a member of the Missouri Conference since 1978.
Gene began his work in social justice ministries at the East End Mission in London, England in 1968. He returned to Nebraska in 1970 to serve four years as the pastor of the United Methodist Church of Hay Springs and campus minister at Chardon State College. In 1971 his daughter, Lydia Jean was born. The family returned to London in 1974 for four more years at the East End Mission where Gene ran the St. George’s Men’s Care Center and Soup Kitchen. In 1978, they moved to St. Louis, Missouri where Gene was appointed Executive Director of Kingdom House, now LifeWise STL, serving there until retirement in 2006.
Gene was a faithful supporter of Webster United Methodist Church and volunteered weekly, making repairs around the church with the Tuesday Guys. Gene was a 43-year member of the St. Louis Downtown Lion’s Club. He served in many roles at the local and district level, including Club President, and received the Melvin Jones Fellowship commendation. He volunteered at Clowder House cat shelter after retirement and recently joined the Board of Webster Rock Hill Ministries, serving as corresponding secretary. For six years he and Lettie have participated in NOMADS, a United Methodist volunteer mission that provides construction work at various Methodist agencies, camps and churches.
Gene loved to fish, boat, and travel by RV. He was a talented and avid woodworker, creating and gifting his many projects to friends and charities. He was a sports fan and enjoyed the Cardinals, Blues, Nebraska Cornhuskers, and watching his grandson play soccer for Kirkwood High School. He treasured the time spent proudly following the activities and educational pursuits of his three grandchildren.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents. Gene is survived by his wife, Lettie (Clark) Morse; daughter Lydia, and grandchildren, Camille, Lillian, and Julian Nunes of Kirkwood; sister, Diane Steenbergen, of Mesquite, NV; brothers Ron (Karen) of Indianapolis, IN, and Dale; nieces, nephews, cousins and a multitude of friends. Gene lived a life of unending service to others as a testament to his Christian faith. His humility, intellect, kindness, and gentle-spirit will be remembered and carried on in all who knew him.
Visitation will be at Webster United Methodist Church at 600 N. Bompart Avenue on Wednesday, January 11 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. Services will be Thursday, January 12 at 10:00 am followed by a luncheon in Fellowship Hall. Interment will follow at Manchester United Methodist Church in Ballwin, Missouri.
Memorials are requested to LifeWise STL in St. Louis or Webster United Methodist Church in Webster Groves.
Our family was saddened to hear of the news of Gene’s passing. Our family’s connection with him through the church and the work at Kingdom House will always be remembered. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this trying time.
Gene was a school and church classmate and MYF friend in Gothenburg. He was as good a guy as you would ever find and will surely be missed.
Our thoughts will be with you all on Thursday. Loved working with Gene at St. George’s in the East End of London and our visit with you and your visits with us! A man of many talents and a lovely disposition. Will miss him. Allison & Stephen
Gene and I spent many summers in the hay fields, camping, hunting, and canoing the platte river. He was a longtime feiend.
We are saddened to hear of Gene’s passing. I knew him through the Twenty Grand Investment Club where Gene was a faithful and reliable member for many years. His wit and regular participation in stock reporting will be missed by all. May God comfort his family in this time of grief.
My first baby sitter, Pauline Goodwin, a Deaconess, worked at Kingdom House for Mr. Morse in the ’30’s and greatly admired his efforts. He contributed much to those served by Kingdom House.
Annette Nowakowski and Gazelle
a great and wonderful person who gave his all for others
We are so saddened by this news.
You and family are in our thoughts!!
My family met Gene when they moved across the from us in Webster Groves. Lydia became my best friend until we moved to Chicago. I remember waffle dinners at their house.Gene and family went camping with us on many occasions and he made the best funnel cakes over the camp fire. I am saddened by the loss of a wonderful person. My heart and prayers go out to his family.
I had the honor to work for Gene at Kingdom
House for over a decade. His efforts for the poor and needy in St. Louis was a great inspiration to me and his loss will be felt widely. I am so sorry for Lettie and Lydia and I will pray for them.
My thought’s and Prayers Are for the Morris Families !
Gene, was a very caring man! I enjoyed talking with them
at the class reuions!(his wife lettie was a lovely lady also!
my husband Ron & Gene’s brother also( Ron,)
were best friends!
Gods Blessings be with Gene In his New Home in “Heaven!” “To be Absent From the Body is to be Present with the LORD!”
My thoughts and prayers for family and friends.
Gene and I became friends thru Lions. The world is jn a better place because of Gene. God be with you.
Our thoughts and prayers for the Morse family. Gene was an amazing man who spent his life caring for those who needed help the most and he was a constant source of inspiration. He was deeply committed to the Lions Club where I had the honor of working with him for 40 years. We will miss him very much!
So saddened to hear this news. Have many happy and fond memories of our times together since 1974. Gene was an amazing person and I appreciate our friendship with Gene and Lettie. Sending love to Lettie , Lydia and family xx
Lettie and family I was shocked when I got the message about Gene, he was my Big Brother in FarmHouse and he helped this young farm boy so much that first year. Our thoughts and Prayers will be with you during this time. Dennis and Helen Eggleston
Lettie and family,
Duane and I are so saddened to learn of Eugene’s sudden passing. We met as fellow rookies at a NOMADS project in 2015 and have been blessed by some of his woodworking talents..
His kindness and generosity and work ethic touched us as well as many others. He will be so deeply missed. We are offering prayers for comfort and peace for you.
I was blessed to know Rev. Morse through his service to Near Southside Employment Coalition (NSEC) and Downtown Lions Club. He was very kind and giving, dedicated to serving others. I am saddened to hear of his passing, but find comfort knowing he was a faithful child of God. “And everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die” – John 11:26. I am praying God’s comfort and peace for Lettie and the entire family.
I’m so sorry to see this news. I have fond memories of the visits to London, and was so grateful to have seen Gene and Lettie when my parents passed away. I’ll be thinking of your family in the days to come.
We send Eugene Morse’s family our sincere condolences. Working with Eugene at Kingdom House was a delight for me. He demonstrated leadership through humility, support, and compassion. We will miss him.
Still stunned to learn of Gene’s passing. He was such a pleasure to talk with and be around. Surely a dedicated servant of the Lord and loved his family dearly. He will be missed by so many. Love and prayers to his wife Lettie and family.
Remembering so many lovely memories of time spent with Gene Lettie and Lydia over the years. Gene was an amazing gentleman in the truest sense. Our thoughts and love go to Lettie, Lydia and his grandchildren Camille, Lillian and Julian.
We are heartbroken about Gene’s passing. He was one of the best, kindest people we’ve known, and we feel so honored to have had him officiate our wedding. He will be greatly missed. Lettie, Lydia, Camille, Lillian and Julian, we will keep you in our prayers.
Gene was a friend, colleague, and someone I appreciated and admired. His passing is a loss to our community and the fellowship of our ministry; his life was a blessing which will continue to radiate for generations.
My condolences to the family. We commend him to our Lord in confident hope.
What a wonderful service for Gene. Letty, you have been in my prayers ever since I got the news. I was unable to attend in person, but watched Gene’s service being streamed. You and Lydia and the children will continue to be in my prayers.
I am so shocked and saddened to hear of Rev. Morse’s passing. He truly was such a caring, kind, loyal and compassionate person. My mom had so much respect for him and she cherished their relationship very much. I will forever be grateful to him for taking the time to talk with me when she passed and for being at the hospital with my whole family, years earlier, when my sister passed. His calm and comforting presence during those crucial times meant so very much. He will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Lettie and Lydia, I feel such sorrow for you both. A loss that large and sudden leaves such a sting. My prayers are with you and hope that you find comfort in the many friends and family that also loved him so much.
We’re always saddened when a wonderful, caring, compassionate friend leaves us behind. Gene is happy with Jesus, but family and friends have to continue on with memories.
Lettie and Lydia, you are loved. Gene was our Sunday School teacher for years and he and Jim were known to have some lively discussions about the scriptures from time to time. We treasure those memories.
And we will continue to enjoy our beautiful Three Wise Men that Gene carved as a going away gift to us 20 years ago. They receive a place of honor on a bookcase shelf every Christmas season.
So, our love and prayers to you his beloved family as the Hope of Heaven strengthens you.
Lettie,
Eugene was a fine man and great servant of the the Lord.
A pleasure to serve the Lord with.
Lettie, Lydia, Julian and the entire family we are heart broken to hear of the passing of your husband, father and grandfather. We got to know him this fall during soccer season and fell in love with him. He was always so kind, thoughtful and funny. We also enjoyed his intellect and keen knowledge, especially his soccer acumen. We feel blessed to have met him. The stands will not be the same next season. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love- The Deffenbaugh-Bogatkos
Lettie,
Really sorry to hear the sad news about the loss of my long-time friend and school chum. Gene and I go back as far as I can remember, at least to first grade in Gothenburg. Gene and I, along with Grant Petersen and Herb Truax, were part of a group of four who participated in many outings together in high school and most were legal! Glad I got to visit with Gene one-on-one at our latest class reunion. Gene was a great guy from a great family and he will be missed by those of us who knew him. Please accept our condolences and prayers.
Dick Hecox
GHS 1961
I met Gene at Clowder House and volunteered with him on Wednesdays for years. He was the jack of all trades. He would bring in goodies to eat all the time! Such a nice person and always willing to help out! My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. I saw him about a year ago ringing the Salvation Army bell at my local grocery store. He was volunteering for the Lions Club. He will be missed!