Morris “Morrie” Kelsven

Morrie Kelsven, a loving husband, father and friend to many, passed away on November 29^th, 2020, at the age of 85 at Serenity Assisted Living in Dilworth, MN.

Morrie is survived by his wife, Patricia (Nicholas); his 8 children, Don Kelsven (Jaycey), Teri Morris (Michael), Rick Kelsven, Lori Gill, Kathy Weiss (Ken), Cindy Williams (Kevin), Steve Kelsven and Julie Wang (Garret); his brother Robert Kelsven (Shirley); his 13 grandchildren, Sarah Kelsven, Matt Kowalski, Justin Kelsven, Skylar Kelsven, Rachel Corbello (Zach), Katie Segat (Mateo), Nicole Morris (Raphael), Madison Williams, Jeremy Wang, Zachary Morris, Mariah Weiss, Dylan Wang, and Carly Rose Williams; and his 3 great-grandchildren, Jackson Mimnaugh, Matilin Mimnaugh, and Leonardo Segat.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Borgny Kelsven, and his sister Yvonne Verde (Ernie).

Morrie was born in Fargo on October 28, 1935, to Roy and Borgny Kelsven.  After high school, he served in the U.S. Navy Reserve and spent 2 years attending local universities.  He married Patricia Nicholas of Felton, MN, on May 18, 1957, making their home in Moorhead and bringing 3 sons and 5 daughters into the world.  He had 3 successful careers starting at the Moorhead Fire Department in 1958 and retiring in 1992, selling insurance through his adult life, and finally as a Moorhead City Council member from 1994 through 2005.

Morrie and Pat were devoted and loving parents to their many children and grandchildren.  Morrie will be remembered for the stories he told and the made-up songs he would sing.  They spent their free time with their many friends, with whom they enjoyed golfing and bowling.  He was also a religious man who spent most of his life as a devoted Catholic at Moorhead’s St. Francis de Sales Church.  He is a man who will be terribly missed for the depth of love and compassion he showed others, always striving to treat everyone around him with the deepest care and concern.

The funeral is planned for Friday, December 4^th, with a visitation at 10:00 A.M. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Moorhead.  Due to COVID restrictions, masks are required, and no food or beverage will be served. The service will be livestreamed  beginning at 11:00 A.M. on  Morrie’s obituary page at www.wrightfuneral.com, where there is also an online guestbook and video tribute.