Charles "Tom" Morse

On April 20, 2024, Charles “Tom” Morse passed away peacefully at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Minn., surrounded by family.

A celebration of his life will be held at Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel in Clear Lake, on Saturday, May 18, at 1 p.m.

Tom was born in Hampton, on Sept. 26, 1956, to stepfather Charles Donald and Sara Lou (Chinburg) Morse. Later in life he learned of his biological father, Ernest Harms, and additional siblings, which gave him great joy.  As a child, Tom participated in many sports and enjoyed spending time in the outdoors. At the age of 16 he enlisted in the U.S. Army 4th Infantry as a Combat Engineer. After the military, he worked at various jobs and, in middle-age, attended college and earned a degree in Information Technology.

He married his best friend and love of his life, Tonya, in 1980.  Together they were blessed with two sons, Tony and Tyler.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, working on his orchard and spending time with family. He loved helping Tonya garden and working outside. She, in turn, loved his handiwork and ability to complete nearly any home improvement project. If the weather was nice, he and Tonya could be found riding motorcycles together and driving with the top down in the Corvette.

He and his wife have an Aronia berry orchard, Berry Hill Orchard LLC, near Fertile.  He was proud to help grow chemical-free, healthy berries for the public, enjoyed seeing customers during annual u-pick events, and developing and sharing Aronia berry recipes.

Surviving him are his son, Tony (Suzanne) and grandchildren, Isabella, Kaiden, and Henry; son, Tyler; brother, Steve (Teresa) Harms; sisters, Shellie (Curtis) Freie, Sandy (Jim) Callahan, Suzy (Dennis) Knipfel, and Stacey (Lyle) Jensen.

  Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Tonya Morse; stepfather, Charles Donald Morse; mother, Sara Lou Morse; father, Ernest Harms; sisters, Catherine Duval and Donna Lou Swatke; and brother, John Morse.

Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, is in charge of arrangements.