John Timothy "Tim" Morrison

John Timothy “Tim” Morrison lost his battle on Sunday, August 15, due to complications from cardiovascular surgery at St, Mary's Hospital in Rochester after 7 weeks in ICU. Tim was born on November 6, 1943, to Edna Mae Caven and John Wesley Morrison. He graduated from Logan High School in 1962 and enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam War. He felt fortunate to be a stationed in Germany, working in the Army Post Office. He and his friends were able to travel all over the country and became long-life friends. After being discharged from the Army, he returned to La Crosse where he enrolled at UWL, graduating with his degree in 1970. During that time and for 12 years later, Tim worked at Community Camera, where he was treated like family.

Tim subsequently became an insurance agent and eventually owned his own insurance agency. During that career, he and Dianne built and owned four area carwashes. He met Dianne Mader in 1967 and they married in 1969. During the past 52 years, they traveled extensively both in the U.S. and abroad, including 2 trips to China, 2 month-long trips to Germany, Cuba, Mexico, Italy, and many other countries and cities. In 1973, they welcomed their son, Matthew, and then in 1975, their son, Ryan. During his retirement, he worked for the U. S. Census Bureau where he was hired to do many surveys and enjoyed tracking down people who had not completed the surveys. He said this made him feel like a bounty hunter. In 2012, after Dianne retired, Tim and Dianne became "snowbirds" wintering in Mesa, AZ, where they developed close relationships with more friends.

As Tim continually battled his many health issues, he was blessed and appreciated the support he had from both his family and friends.

Tim leaves his wife of 52 years, Dianne (affectionally called "Babe”) with a broken heart, but who is relieved that Tim is finally free from pain and health issues. Dianne's friends often told her that if she wanted the moon, Tim would get it for her, and he would have. He is further survived by Matt (Emily) and their two foster children, Jayden and Ava, and Ryan and his children, Riley, Jack, Finnian, Owen, Calum, and Molly. These eight young people provided "Gramps," as they all affectionaly called him, a light in his life, especially when his health was failing.

He is further survived by his cousin, Judy Roraff and her family. They had a special relationship as cousins but were more like brother and sister. He will also be missed by his brothers-in-law, Steve (Linda) Mader and their children, Andy (Elizabeth), Erin (Michael) McTigue, Deke (Janell) Mader, and Dillon (Katie) and Gary Mader (Sandra Newburg) and his children, Amy (Travis), Austen, Lee (Celeste) and Allison. Tim felt fortunate to have all his friends, too numerous to mention, supporting and loving him through his battles.

There are no adequate words to express our sorrow at this time. Although Tim and Dianne had traveled the world, Tim had one more country he wanted to see, his beloved Ireland, where his ancestors lived. Although he was not able to achieve that goal, Matt has suggested that his mom, brother, and himself scatter some of his ashes on a trip to Ireland, which they look forward to doing soon.

Many thanks to the excellent care Tim received from the ICU staff for the past 55 days in Rochester, where he was treated with compassion and respect. Dianne told the doctors, family, and friends, that if they could not save Tim, no one could, and we know they did their utmost.

A Celebration of Life is planned at a later date due to COVID. Tim's last wishes included an Irish Wake and so be it.

"May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hole you in the palm of his hand." An Irish Blessing.

If you would like to contact Dianne, she can be reached at (608) 498-3426.