Peggy Lou Morris

December 5, 1950 — July 4, 2026

Osawatomie, Kansas

Peggy Lou Morris, 75, of Osawatomie, Kansas, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2026, at Research Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.

Peggy was born on December 5, 1950, in Paola, Kansas, the third of five children born to Warren Harold and Edith Evelyn (Lease) Johnson. She grew up in Osawatomie and attended Osawatomie High School.

At just 16 years old, Peggy began working at Friendship Manor, later known as Medicalodges of Paola, where she discovered her calling in nursing and caring for others. After one year, she joined Holiday Manor, later known as Life Care Center of Osawatomie, where she worked for 19 years. During her time there, she was given the opportunity to attend nursing school, beginning a career that would span more than five decades. In 1988, Peggy accepted a position at Osawatomie State Hospital, where she worked in Employee Health and Infection Control until her retirement in 2018. She was well known and loved by her coworkers, earning the affectionate nickname “Painless Peggy” because of her gentle touch when giving vaccinations.

Peggy was united in marriage to Jim Peterson in 1968, and together they welcomed one daughter. Their marriage later ended in divorce. On February 14, 1976, she married the love of her life, Ron Morris. Together they built a loving family and welcomed three children.

Peggy treasured time spent with her family, especially her 12 grandchildren and growing family of great-grandchildren. She loved bowling, scrapbooking, playing Bunco with friends, taking road trips, and never passed up the chance to stop at a garage sale or flea market. She also enjoyed getting lost in a good book, hosting movie nights, and eagerly anticipated the arrival of October each year, her favorite month.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Warren and Edith Johnson; her sisters, Carolyn Torrez and Judy Lee; and her beloved husband, Ron Morris.

Peggy is survived by her children, Chris Johnson De Soto, Kansas, Sally Smith of Gardner, Kansas, Ron Morris Jr. of Osawatomie, Kansas, Arthur (Jeanie) Morris of Topeka, Kansas and Wanda Morris of Paola, Kansas; her grandchildren, Gracie Morris, Anastasia Jabary, Mariah Jabary, Peggy Sue Morris, Arthur Morris Jr., Claudine Morris, Dallas Vopat, Destiny Vopat, Derek Vopat, Daven Morris, Jessika Smith, and Eric Smith; her great-grandsons, Creed and Cannon; one great-granddaughter on the way, Ariel; her sister, Marilyn Grauel; her brother, Jack Robert May; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and countless friends whose lives she touched throughout her nursing career.

Peggy will be remembered for her caring heart, unwavering dedication to her patients, her love of family, and the kindness she showed to everyone she met. Her gentle spirit, warm smile, and servant’s heart will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.

No services are scheduled at this time. 

(Published in the Linn County Journal on July 9, 2026.)