Alma Alice Moris

MOUNT HOPE – Alma A. Moris, age 89, of Mt. Hope, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, at St. Dominic Villa in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin. She was born on July 24, 1934, in rural Potosi Township, the daughter of Joseph and Mamie (Udelhoven) Dressler. She attended St. Clement’s School in Lancaster after the family moved to their farm in North Lancaster Township. When her eldest two sisters (Virginia and Anna Marie) departed for the convent, she helped care for her younger siblings while teaching them the work ethic required for farm life. She was the third-eldest of the 14 Dressler children. Alma later worked several jobs off the family farm, including two separate stints assisting Dr. Donald Heller, DDS in Lancaster.

On May 1, 1970, she was united in marriage to Peter G. Moris at St. Clement’s Catholic Church in Lancaster. After their marriage, she served as the steward of their farm just west of Mt. Ida, doing the majority of manual labor on her own deep into her 70s. She particularly enjoyed eradicating thistles and other noxious weeds from the pasture, meticulously walking the steep terrain with a 10-gallon, hand-pump sprayer. Alma could frequently be spotted plowing snow and performing other tasks on her beloved Farmall 350. As Alma attended to the farm, Peter continued working as the owner-operator of a bulk milk truck route, picking up milk from area farms for Country’s Delight (Fennimore) and later AMPI (Prairie Du Chien).

Alma was a devout Catholic who faithfully served at both St. Mary’s parish in Fennimore and St. Lawrence O’Toole in rural Mt. Hope. She was a fixture at the Perpetual Adoration Chapel at St. Mary’s from its inception in 1996 under Father George Horath until she was no longer able to drive in 2016. She also washed and ironed altar linens and garments for Father Horath at St. Lawrence O’Toole. Whether it was working funerals at St. Mary’s or mowing the cemetery at “The Ridge” in Mt. Hope, there was no task too menial for her. Alma also led the rosary at both parishes in addition to teaching catechism for many years. She practiced her faith daily by putting others before herself and was always happiest either in church, on the farm or in the company of her family.

Survivors include her son, Peter J. (Lisa) Moris of Mt. Hope and Shell Rock, Iowa, as well as her grandchildren Madison, Mitch and Grant. She is also survived by her sisters Claire Churchill and Rose (Herb) Koppen, in addition to brothers Jim, Bernard (Theresa) and Clem (Betty) Dressler. Alma is also survived by brother-in-law Floyd Churchill and sister-in-law Eleanor Mumm, as well as many other nephews, nieces and in-laws, as well as many caring neighbors and family friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, Alma was preceded in death by her siblings Sister Anna Marie, Virginia (Bill) Brockway, Agnes (Edward) Simpson, Theresa (Carl) Martin, Catherine (John) Oberfoell, Mary Churchill, Joan (David) Edge and Bernadette, as well as numerous brothers and sisters-in-law.

In lieu of flowers, friends and family may wish to consider a memorial in Alma’s memory to Our Queen of All Saints Parish in Fennimore, or to Grant County (Wisconsin) Right to Life.