Obituary

Funeral: Saturday, May 12, 2012, at 11 a.m. in Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel

Calling: Friday, May 11, 2012, from 3 to 8 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Saturday *************************************************

Hildegard Elsa (Christen) Morr, 104, of Wolcottville died Wednesday, May 9, 2012, at 6:36 a.m. in her residence with her family at her side.

She came to the United States on January 1, 1924, from Germany. As a young immigrant, she went to work in the Wayne Knitting Mill in Fort Wayne. She later worked for Showalter's Market in Kendallville and Bakers' Fruit and Flower Farm in Kendallville.

She was a member of the Church of Christ in Kendallville.

Mrs. Morr enjoyed crocheting and loved to fish, especially in Canada. She was always excited about the anticipated birth of new babies into her family. Hildegard graciously helped others in need and lived a life of service.

She was born December 10, 1907, in Huttengrund, Germany, to Walter Otto and Marie Elsa (Vogel) Christen. Living in Germany during World War I, she and her family endured extreme hardship while her father served in the German Army. Many of his experiences were related to the family and are now recorded as family history.

At the end of the war, the decision was made to immigrate to the United States in the year 1922. Due to the immigration quota, they were not allowed entrance to the U.S. until January 1, 1923. Leaving her extended family and home in Germany was very difficult as was her passage across the sea. Adjusting to life in an unfamiliar culture and a new language were some of the many obstacles she had to overcome.

Hilda was socially active during the roaring twenty's, until she laid eyes on the love of her life, John Adam Morr. They were married November 2, 1932, in Brimfield and were united in marriage for 42 years.

As the wife of John Morr, she accepted the responsibilities of caring for her aged and disabled mother and father-in-law, while beginning a family of her own during the Great Depression. Hilda once again experienced the difficulties of another World War, this time from the American viewpoint.

After the war, her husband and brothers-in-law started a family business, Morr Brothers Foundry. This enterprise was the training ground for her sons to begin another business, Morr Pattern and Tool, one of the best equipped pattern shops in northern Indiana.

The previous challenges gave way to the joys of watching her family grow into adulthood. As her children married and had children of their own, her own workload decreased and she was able to devote her life to her grandchildren. She shared her love of the outdoors, fishing, and the Canadian wilderness yearly with numerous trips to the north country.

At the death of her husband on July 7, 1974, she filled the void by devoting herself to the care of her beloved stepmother and the numerous new additions to her family. She was an example to all as she lived her faith quietly to those around her, but was diligent in encouraging her family to follow the Lord.

The remainder of her life was lived in comfort in the home of her eldest daughter and son-in-law sharing the stories of her life.

Surviving are a daughter, Jacqueline Hamlin of Wolcottville; a son and daughter-in-law, Clayton and Carolyn Morr of Wawaka; two daughters-in-law, Beulah Morr of Kendallville and Iris Morr of Kendallville; a son-in-law, Al Root of Kendallville; 16 grandchildren, Vance (Phyllis) Hamlin, Linda (Mike) Metz, Christine (Ric) Jordan, Carol (Mike) Selby, Jennifer (Wayne, Jr.) Diehm, Joel (Dana) Streich, Douglas (Kathy) Morr, Sue (Max) Litke, Terri Morr, Glen (Lisa) Morr, Paul (Guenevere) Morr, Beth (Bruce) Newman, Babs (Mike) Diehm, Brenda (Larry) Gayheart, Cathy (Gale) Shultz, and Melissa (Greg) Dickerson; 38 great grandchildren; and 15 great-great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by two sons, John L. Morr and Delbert Morr; a daughter, Darlene Root; a son-in-law, Walter Hamlin; and a sister, Johannah Becker.

Funeral services will be Saturday, May 12, 2012, at 11 a.m. in Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville, with Vance Hamlin and Chaplain Ken Weaver officiating. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery, Kendallville.

Honorary pallbearers will be Greg Dickerson, Mike Diehm, Larry Gayheart, Ric Jordan, Mike Metz, Gale Shultz, and Joel Streich. Active pallbearers will be Wayne Diehm, Jr., Doug Morr, Glen Morr, Paul Morr, Bruce Newman, and Mike Selby.

Calling is Friday, May 11, 2012, from 3 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home and one hour prior to services on Saturday.

Preferred memorials are to Parkview Noble Home Health and Hospice, 1836 Ida Red Road, Kendallville, Indiana, 46755.

View a video tribute after Friday or send condolences to the family at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com