Lahlee Morrell

Lahlee Duggins Knittle Morrell, age 83, of Grants Pass, died peacefully Saturday, February 28, 2009 at her home.

She was born March 15, 1925 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Louis Denzel Duggins and Quentine Juanita Alsup, the eldest of seven children. As a young woman she was a dancer and traveled with dance bands across the country. She was a member of the Milton Hill Dance Theater. She met and fell in love with William Joseph Knittle, a trombone player in one of the bands. They married on December 2, 1941, six days before Pearl Harbor. They moved to Venice, California where they raised four children. They were divorced and she later married Frank Morrell. She was employed by Sears, Roebuck & Co in Santa Monica, California as the manager of the Employees’ Cafeteria for over 20 years. In 1999 she moved to Evanston, Wyoming to be close to her daughter. In 2004 she moved with her daughter and son-in-law to Grants Pass.

She was raised Christian Scientist but converted to Catholicism as an adult. She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved animals, sewing, knitting, crocheting, cooking, baking, collecting recipes, traveling and camping. She was an avid reader and read a book a day.

Survivors include her four children, Raymond George Knittle of Chatsworth, California, William Joseph Knittle Jr of Los Angeles, California, Susan Quentine Hunter and her husband Calvin of Grants Pass, Oregon; and Richard Michael Knittle and his wife Ann of Springtown, Texas; five siblings, Jackie, Jeanette, Frances, Nedra and William; 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, in-law, and friends who will miss her greatly.

She was preceded in death by her husbands; her parents; a sister, Barbara; and a granddaughter, Sandra.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers at the Bridge and her doctors and medical providers for their gentle and loving care of Lahlee during her last few years. She loved each and every one of you.

A celebration of life will be held in her honor at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at The Bridge. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.