Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Morris, 87, of Austin, Minnesota, died Monday, Sept. 9, 2019, at Sacred Heart Care Center.

Betty was born April 29, 1932, in Austin to Thomas and Ruby (Groh) Brandt. She grew up in Austin and graduated from Austin High School in 1950. After graduation, she moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to work as a telephone operator. In 1954, Betty joined the U.S. Army, working assorted jobs on the East Coast before eventually becoming a recruiter.

Betty met James R. Morris while working as a recruiter. On March 17, 1962, they were united in marriage in Roanoke, Virginia. As a military couple, they lived at various bases in the U.S. and Germany, making lifelong friends along the way.

Upon retirement, they moved to Florida for a short time before settling in Conway, Arkansas. They enjoyed traveling, seeing friends and family, and time with their pets.

Betty returned to Austin in 1998 following Jim’s death. She reconnected with old friends and made new ones at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Betty was independent, traveling long distances by herself, quick witted and funny. She cherished the time spent with family, loved her nieces and nephews, and her cats, lovingly calling them her “kids.”

Grateful for sharing her life is her brother, James (Gloria) Brandt; sister-in-law, Irene Brandt; nephew, John (Lisa) Brandt; nieces, Kathy (Steve) Foster, Miechelle (Jeremy) Norman and Renee (Nathan) Lee; and great-nieces and nephews, Jessica Madsen, Heidi Bridges, Molly Norman, Ellise Norman, Jackson Lee and Maxwell Lee. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Ruby Brandt; husband, James Morris; brother, Robert Brandt; and nephew, Jerry Brandt.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 16, 2019, at Mayer Funeral Home with the Rev. Michael Olmsted officiating. Friends may call one hour before the service on Monday at the funeral home. Military rites will be conducted by American Legion Post 91 and VFW Post 1216. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Disabled American Veterans or Alzheimer’s Association. Condolences may be left online at www.mayerfh.com.