Josephine Mae Morris

Funeral services will be Monday, February 13, 2023, at 2:00 pm at the United Church of Christ in Thedford, NE. Burial will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Sunday, February 12^th from 2:30 to 4:30 pm at the United Church of Christ in Thedford. Govier Brothers Mortuary of Mullen are in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.govierbrothers.com.

     Josephine Mae (Barnes) Morris age 79 of Thedford, NE passed away February 8, 2023, at Jennie M. Melham Memorial Medical Center in Broken Bow with her daughters by her side. 

     Josephine daughter of Earl Fred and Alice (Hopkins) Barnes was born on November 27, 1943 in Broken Bow, NE.  Josephine graduated from Thomas County High School in 1962.  

      Josephine and John Paul were married on November 22, 1964.  To this union four daughters were born Jonita, Joleen, Jolinda, and Jamie.

     Josephine was preceded in death by husband John Paul, her parents Earl and Alice Barnes, brothers Myron William Barnes, Harold Duane Barnes, father and mother-in-law John Samuel and Lillian Olive Morris, sister-in-law LilliAnn (Morris) Kemp.

     Josephine was a cub scout den mother, a Girl Scout leader, and 4-H leader for several years. Josephine worked at the Morris Skelly Service alongside John Paul as well as at the Arrowhead Motel. She most recently worked at the Thomas County Library where she enjoyed driving the bookmobile and helping with the different school activities.  Josephine was a member of the United Church of Christ since 1955.  Josephine was a member of the American Auxiliary for many years.

     Josephine was an avid bowler.   She enjoyed bowling at Hondo Lanes in Mullen for 50+ years.  She was President of Hondo Lanes Inc bowling alley.   She traveled to Reno to bowl in Team and Couple’s National Bowling Tournaments.  She traveled to Reno in 2018 to compete in the National Senior Tournament and was crowned a National Champion.  Josephine also competed in the 2022 National Senior Tournament in Louisville, Kentucky. 

     Josephine enjoyed various activities at the Life Center including drinking coffee and putting puzzles together with friends. 

     Josephine is survived by daughters Jonita (Raymond) Ferguson, Joleen (Timothy) Jensen, Jolinda Morris all Pilger, Jamie (Shannon) Placke of Grand Island, grandchildren Matthew, Allison and Samuel Ferguson, Thomas (Lexy Stone) and Bridgett Jensen, Logan and Cameron Placke, Kyle (Sara) Jensen, Tanner Jensen, great-grandchildren Persephone Jensen, Kree, Baker and Judd Jensen, grand puppy Winston, several nieces and nephews and many friends.

Library Rules                         Terri Licking, 4/2006

Every Monday at 1:00 you can see them arrive,

Their number is six, to ten, or even just five.

Most are eighties ladies of Thedford town,

but some are ninety, and still get around.

The place is the library where they do converge,

for three or four hours they will not emerge.

They go not to browse or open a book,

computers there do not even garner a second look.

They come together every week for a single mission,

to play cards to their hearts’ delight is their only ambition.

Thirteen-point pitch is the name of the game;

to suggest other, makes one hang their head in shame.

The rules they have put into play over the years.

If you forget them, they will remind you, have no fear.

Partners of two can be played when the players number four,

but they can change the game to accommodate more.

If the number is odd, they do not care,

call for your partner is then played there.

A game ends after six hands are played,

a bid of 10 or 11 is not uncommon throughout the day.

With a new game, the head table’s winning partners remain the same,

but at other tables, all other players, their partners they must change.

The remaining deck can be given to a partner if the bidder does not look,

These are just a few of the library rules from an unwritten book.

Maxine says on an Ace, King she will bid eight,

But watch out for Lenore, to bid higher, she will not hesitate.

Then there is Tracey, Alice, Josephine, and Norma Lee,

A Phyllis hand is when one holds the same-colored threes.

Myra, Jane, Shirley, Arlyne and others also like to join in the fun,

and no one goes away mad when the card playing is done,

For that is the number one rule adhered to whenever, wherever they play,

For it is only a game, and come next Monday, the cards may just fall your way.

Dedicated to all my card playing friends through out the years on Mondays at the Library or Friday nights at the Life Center.