Mary Estel Morris

Mary Lake Morris, 98, passed away on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 at Calvin Community in Des Moines, Iowa. Services are currently pending.

Mary was born in Adair County, Iowa, December 31, 1926, the youngest child born to Ray and Bessie Lake. She graduated from high school in Greenfield, Iowa and moved to Des Moines to work and lived there her entire adult life. On July 21, 1946 she married Billy E. Morris and adopted Victor and Patricia. Steven was born later. They had a restaurant on Grand Avenue until 1955. After that, Mary worked at Drake University and eventually went into banking.

Mary retired as a Personal Banker in 1986 after twenty-three years with Iowa Des Moines/Norwest Banks and now Wells Fargo. She helped open the first branch of any bank in Des Moines for Norwest in May, 1966 at 4505 Douglas Avenue. She was the “Women’s Representative” at the Douglas office.

She enjoyed being a member of the Women’s Bureau of the Greater Des Moines Chamber of Commerce and served on the Board for three years. Her year as membership chairman saw an all-time high for new members! First Federated Church had her membership since 2003. Mary formerly was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church for forty-seven plus years.

Mary was proud of the education their family achieved; children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. One great granddaughter graduated magna cum laude with academic honors from her college in California in 2014! Mary’s time and energy were devoted to her immediate and extended family.

She is survived by her two sons, Victor (Bogim) of Woodstock, Il. and Steven of Smyrna, GA. She also has six grandchildren; Todd (Ann), Carolyn, Brian (Sandra), Jenny, Brent (Donna), Mindy (Paul); and nine great-grandchildren, Liam, Ella, Nolan, Hannah, Joshua, Jilian, Madison, Makayla, Cody and Morris Joseph. Mary was so proud to be the great-great -grandmother of Jasper! She also has several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; her daughter Patricia; brother, sisters and parents.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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