Larry Morse
MARQUETTE, MI- Larry Morse passed away in his home, surrounded by loving family on Sunday morning, January 21, 2024 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He is now at peace and welcomed into the arms of Our Loving Father with his beloved son, Marty.
Larry was born in Detroit, Michigan on May 20, 1946 to Abram Morse, Sr. and Leota (Provot) Morse. He spent much time in his youth with his grandfather Arthur Lawrence on and in Union Lake, where he learned the art and sport of fishing that he so loved throughout his life.
Larry built a life and career around his early passion for produce. Starting out as a bag boy and then becoming a produce manager while still in his teens, Larry eventually became a produce buyer, supervisor and director for the Flint-area food chain, Hamady Brothers. At one point, Larry was known in the Flint area as “the man who saved Hamady” by personally appealing to the better nature of the owner to keep the stores open. Larry ultimately built his own retail and wholesale produce distribution business in the Flint area, known as Topp’s. The business was a labor of love for Larry, and he was known and loved by many customers in the area.
Larry married his beloved wife Kathy on November 24, 1982, “the best thing that ever happened to me.” Together, they lived a wonderful life in Linden, Michigan and Marquette, Michigan, where they retired to in 2008. For 41 years of marriage, Larry and Kathy had a shared passion for running, cross-country skiing and healthy living. Larry’s gardens in Linden and Marquette were the stuff of legend, generating a harvest well beyond what they could consume on their own, so they shared with many friends and loved ones. Larry and Kathy were well-traveled, visiting Vancouver, Spain, Italy, Bosnia and South America.
Somehow, Larry also managed to find time to become a ultramarathoner, competing in a number of 100-mile, 24-hour and other feats of running endurance. Larry also competed in 53 traditional marathons and numerous other races, traveling to New York, Boston, New Orleans, Washington DC, Milwaukee and his favorite Detroit Free Press Marathon to compete. Even well into his 70’s, Larry frequently won first place in his age group as he competed. One of Larry’s proudest accomplishments was completing thirty-seven Crim 10-mile races in Flint, which he last did in 2022 at age 75. One of his favorite weekly traditions was his Wednesday morning “Muffin Run” in Marquette with beloved friends made in their shared passion for running.
Of course, no story about Larry would be complete without mentioning his love for fishing. Larry’s “happy place” was Rice Lake in Ontario, Canada, where he returned 49 times for a week annually with his family and friends. Larry also fished the waters in and around Marquette as well as Manitoba and Colorado.
Larry was a lover of life and impacted everyone he met with his infectious good spirit and positive attitude. “Who’s got it better than us?” was his motto! Larry loved to make people happy and was grateful for the full life he enjoyed.
Larry is survived by his wife, Kathy (Liikala) Morse; sons Chris (Vita) Morse, Keith Morse and Mark Morse; sister-in-law Norma (Fetterhoff) Morse; brothers-in-law Ron (Mary Ann) Liikala, Dale Liikala, Michael Liikala, and Brian (Tammy) Liikala; grandchildren Jonathan Morse, Kristina Morse, Brandon (Colleen) Morse, Brianna (Robert) Carpenter, Shanna Morse, Charlotte Morse and Nolan Morse; great-grandchild Robert Carpenter III; and many nephews, nieces, cousins, aunts and uncles.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Abram Morse, Sr. and Leota Morse; Brother Abram Morse, Jr.; Sisters Diane Davis and Betty Morse; and son, Martin Morse.
Visitation will be held from 10:30 am to noon on Friday, January 26, 2024 in the Bishop’s Room at St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the cathedral at 12 noon Friday with the Rev. Msgr. Michael Steber officiating. A dinner will immediately follow in the parish hall. Cremation will take place shortly thereafter and Larry requested that his ashes be spread by family at his Rice Lake “happy place.”
The family would like to thank Lake Superior Life Care & Hospice for their wonderful care and service in Larry’s last days, and especially Jamie who was with the family during Larry’s final weekend. Memorials are preferred to Care Clinic, 1213 N. Third St., Marquette, MI 49855 or Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice, 914 W. Baraga Ave., Marquette, MI 49855 in Larry’s memory.
Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the Morse family where memories of Larry may be shared at canalefuneral.com.