Dr. Michael C. Morrison, 68

Published 10:15 am Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Michael C. Morrison, 68, of West Des Moines, Iowa, died peacefully June 19, 2015, surrounded by his family at his lake home in Wisconsin.

Morrison

Mike was born in Osage, Iowa, to Mitchell and Maxine Morrison. He graduated from high school in Austin, Minnesota, and began his post secondary education at Austin Community College where he received his associate degree. He obtained a bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Minnesota. Mike was a friend and mentor to many. Education was his career, as well as his passion, from teaching middle school students in Imlay City, Michigan, to college students at the North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, North Dakota. He was a tireless advocate of community college education, as well as trade and technical education, which resulted in his transition from teaching into educational administration. Prior to serving as the president of North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, Iowa, Mike held various administrative positions at NDSCS and NIACC. In addition, he was community oriented, having served on multiple community and state level boards in both North Dakota and Iowa.

After retiring from a successful and distinguished career in 2008, he and his wife Pat spent most of their time at the family lake home and enjoyed traveling the world together. While Mike was an avid photographer, boater, fisherman, hunter, motorcyclist, researcher of educational issues and publisher of a successful Internet blog, his greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren.

Mike is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Pat (Keefe) Morrison; and his three children: Scott (Karen) Morrison, Melanie (Scot) Stoltenberg, and Michael (Taylor) Morrison; six grandchildren: Caitlin, Sean, Ryan, Brea, Jenna and Evan; brothers: John and Mitch; sisters: Sharon Avram, Janice Pike and Michelle Arjes; and many nieces and nephews.

His parents preceded him in death.

A memorial service celebrating Mike’s life will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 27, in the Activities Center at NIACC in Mason City, Iowa. There will be a time of gathering an hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations are directed to the NDSCS Foundation or the Michael C. Morrison Scholarship Fund at NIACC.