Marsha D. Morgan

Marsha Morgan was happiest on her horse, riding through the fields with her family by her side. She always loved horses, since she was a little girl, a love she shared with her own little girl. Marsha was a fun-loving, adventurous woman, a woman with many loves, and many passions. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, who shared all her love with those around her. Marshas story began on a warm summer day in 1951, in the shoreline city of Muskegon, Michigan. Those were tumultuous times in this country, which once again went to war overseas in Korea, and battled the Cold War here at home. On June 14, 1951, Carl and Phyllis (Gathard) Mattfolk found a reason to celebrate, with the birth of a beautiful, blue-eyed baby girl, a daughter they named Marsha. Marsha was the middle of five children in the family, joining her older siblings Barbara and Michael, and her little brothers Marty and Jeffrey. Her dad was a hardworking machinist at Teledyne Continental Motors, while her mother cared for the kids and the home. Marsha attended Campbell and later Maple Grove Elementary Schools, but her real love growing up wasnt found in a book it was found in a barn! Marsha had a great love for horses, ever since she was knee-high to the big, beautiful animals. When she got a little older, she began cleaning the horse stalls at Hradsky Farms in Muskegon, and got to ride their horses for free in return. She was sold, and a lifelong love for horses was formed on that farm. By the time Marsha entered Muskegon Mona Shores High School, she had grown into a 5-foot-8 blue-eyed beauty, a friendly and fun-loving young woman. After she graduated from Mona Shores in 1969, Marsha began working as a dental assistant, and met a young man named Dennis Morgan, who loved riding motorcycles, just like Marsha did. They hit it off, and soon began dating. Marsha and Dennis were married in 1973, in a small ceremony in the living room of her parents home. The newlyweds settled into a home at 3371 Leon Street in Muskegon, and it wasnt long before they became parents, as well. Their first child, their daughter Melissa, was born on January 8, 1974, and Dennis Jr. followed on March 18, 1976. Marsha was a wonderful wife and mother, who shared her loves with her children, and encouraged all their pursuits, as well. Marshas daughter Melissa became very interested in horses like her mother, and they bought their first horse together, named Golden Amen, who was so special to them. Every third Saturday theyd head off to Ravenna for the horse auction, to see what was for sale. Marsha and Melissa were always very, very close, bonded together by their love of horses. They were very involved with the 4-H Club, and were longtime members of the Michigan Justin Morgan Horse Association, the main governing body for Michigan horse owners. The mother-daughter duo traveled all over during the summertime for the many horse shows on the circuit, which were such special times for both of them. They did much as a family, too, and especially enjoyed camping together. They bought a trailer on Round Lake, up north near Freesoil, Michigan, where they shared so many fond memories. They loved fishing, water skiing, having campfires and visiting with friends and family there. In the wintertime, the family traveled around to all of Dennis Jr.s wrestling tournaments, cheering him on to his many victories in high school. Marsha was a very fun-loving, adventurous woman, and she and her husband shared many fun times together, too. They enjoyed camping, hunting, both bow and rifle hunting, and salmon-fished from their Boston Whaler boat, as well. Marsha was always game for anything, it seemed. In 1996, the couple moved to Hesperia, Michigan, after their children had grown and got out on their own. Marsha also began working fulltime as a cook at the Oakcrest Manor assisted living center, where she made many close, longtime friends in her 12 years there. Marsha was always a wonderful cook, and well-known for her homemade pizza, chocolate crme pie, and her delicious pigs in a blanket. Marsha was also an expert seamstress. She and her mother made many banners for Samuel Lutheran Church. They were very proud of the Shoah Banner they made for the joint Jewish-Christian service in remembrance of the holocaust. In 1998, Marsha and Dennis divorced, after 24 years of marriage. She moved back to Muskegon, to surround herself with her good friends and family, and remained exceptionally close with her daughter. Marsha also enjoyed going to the different casinos with her good friend Mary. Marsha was dealt a difficult blow on December 19, 2006, when she was diagnosed with cancer. Though she battled the disease bravely, her health slowly began to deteriorate, and she eventually entered the Poppen Hospice House in Muskegon. Sadly, Marsha died there on Thursday, January 24, 2008, at the age of 56. Marsha was such a wonderful, vibrant woman, outspoken and outgoing, and beautiful inside and out. She was a woman with a passion for horses, a passion she shared with her daughter and her many friends. From her hobbies, to her friends and her family, Marsha always knew that her love was meant to be shared. We were so lucky to have shared it with her. She will be greatly missed. Marsha is survived by her parents, Carl & Phyllis Mattfolk of Roosevelt Park; son, Dennis Morgan, Jr. of Muskegon; daughter, Melissa (Brent Eurich) Morgan of Grand Haven; 5 grandchildren, Madison, Jacob, Tristen, Aaron, Kyle; 3 brothers, Michael Mattfolk of AZ, Marty (Kari) Mattfolk of Grandville, MI, Jeffrey (Beth) Mattfolk of FL; sister, Barbara (Ron) Teuscher of NV; several nieces & nephews. Services are scheduled for Monday, January 28, 2008, 11:00 AM at Samuel Lutheran Church with Rev. Phillip Nordstrand officiating. Visitation is Monday, 1 hour prior to the service at Samuel Lutheran Church. Memorial donations may be made to Harbor Hospice. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo of Marsha, or to sign her guestbook.