Kathy Lou Morley

Kathy Lou Morley, 75, passed away on May 17, 2023, in La Crosse, WI. She was born Kathy Lou Dummer on August 5, 1947 to Ernest and Helen (Johansen) Dummer in Chicago, IL. The family moved to La Crosse in 1954. Kathy graduated from La Crosse Aquinas High School in 1965 and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in Education. Kathy married David Morley in June of 1969. Kathy and David moved to Marathon, WI and later to Berlin, WI. They had two children, Karin and Eric. In 1978, the family moved to Eau Claire where Kathy taught at St Patrick’s School and Roosevelt Elementary School. She was also a Social Studies teacher at Delong Middle School until 2004 when she retired. Kathy and David later divorced.

After retiring, Kathy enjoyed travelling to places like Hawaii, the Normandy Beaches, and England. In 2016, Kathy relocated to Mesa, AZ where she lived and worked at the Fountain of the Sun Community. Kathy also worked for a time as a substitute teacher. Kathy was an avid participant in her community, enjoying crafting and quilting activities as well as seasonal social events. She made wonderful friends within the Fountain of the Sun Community who were of great support to her in her times of need. Kathy enjoyed sharing the beauty of the Mesa area with visiting friends and family.

While cancer eventually took her life, Kathy survived kidney cancer and her first bout with Merkel Cell Carcinoma, and as a result, Kathy was passionate about encouraging friends and loved ones to pursue regular skin cancer screening.

Kathy was proceeded in death by her father, in 1977, and mother, in 2015. She is survived by her daughter Karin (Mark) Joyce and grandchildren Ella and Sammy, son Eric (Kati) Morley and grandchildren Joey, Ella, Anna and Simon. Kathy is also survived by her brother Curt (Vicki) Dummer, her sister Kristi McCabe plus many beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Kathy chose to return home to Wisconsin at the end of her life to be closer to her family. She was supported by the amazing Hospice team at Mayo Clinic in La Crosse. There will be no service at this time.