Dawn Marie "Dusty" Morasch

Dusty Morasch passed away on November 8 after a seven-week battle with cancer.   She was born January 21, 1944, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, to Clarice Carlson and Carl Bolan and moved to Portland as a young child.  Dusty grew up in the St. John’s neighborhood and attended Roosevelt high school.  She married Vernald Morasch in 1981.  Vern passed away in 2010.   Dusty was employed as a housekeeper for 27 years at Bess Kaiser medical facilities on Greeley and on Interstate in Portland.   Dusty’s zest for life surfaced with her quick wit, easy laugh, and dash to the dance floor at the first note of a favorite song.  She was the spark of the party.  She enjoyed camping, fishing, movies, music, and history.      Dusty and Vern started their marriage with a tarp for cover on camping trips, transitioned to trailers, and finally graduated to a motor home.  They loved road trips, family reunions and work parties, and included their children and pets in their adventures.   One of Dusty’s many virtues was her honesty.  She was direct and was known for many sayings including, “I flat say it like it is,” even when it got her in a bit of trouble, and “my word is my bond,” making sure she followed through on her promises.    She had a deep love of her family and friends, a positive outlook and a can-do attitude and it showed in the everyday way she lived her life.  If she had a bad day, she wasn’t a stranger to making an apology for a sharp word and would role model acceptance and forgiveness, often encouraging healthy conversations to resolve problems.  Dusty had a passion for history and was a walking Encyclopedia about historical topics.    She was incredibly supportive and encouraged her family and friends to reach beyond their perceived limits, follow their dreams and never give up.  She often discussed the importance of education to her children.  She would sit at the kitchen table along side them and help them with their homework, even with topics she herself did not understand well.  During her last weeks of life, she continued to help her grandchildren with their homework even while enduring severe pain from cancer.    Dusty was tenacious when she got her mind set on something, and when someone confronted a challenge, advised, “if you can’t get through it, go over it or go around it.”  She encouraged confidence, kindness, and respect in her children.    Her grandchildren loved playing imagination games such as “sheriff” and “school bus ride” with their “Nana D.” She taught them to cook and to make crafts, and reminded them that homemade gifts were the best of all because of the value she placed on time.  Dusty’s heart was as big as her imagination and she reached out to help her family and friends often.  She had so many beautiful qualities and will forever be missed by so many!   She is survived by daughters Wendy Hagg, Carla Sells and Robin Dady, grandchildren Justin Lust, Bradley Dady, Alycia Hagg, Stephanie Dady, Grant Sells, Cheyenne Dady, Taylor Sells and Danika Morasch-Bower, 4 great grandchildren, nephew Scott McKenna and his wife Roz.  In-laws include Jim and Patricia Hall, Ken and Nancy Winn, Al and Arlene Dye, Karlene Morasch, Don and Cathy Morasch, Linda Maughan, a great aunt Lydia Saccomanno, nieces and nephews, several close friends and her beloved parrot Tweety.   Her daughters give a very special thanks to their mom’s many caregivers who went above and beyond, providing around the clock home care and trips to medical appointments.  They include her best friend Coby Ahhiatty, family friend Melissa Espinoza, and Dusty’s grandchildren.  Neighbor John Jordan, nephew Scott (and his wife Roz), close friends Jan Ashby and Allen Geertz, and stepson Spencer Nunn provided many hours of love and support to Dusty and her family.  The family also thanks Dusty’s caring teams from her dialysis clinics, Kaiser Hospice and Hopewell House.   A memorial service for Dusty will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 17th at:   Ross Hollywood Chapel 4733 NE Thompson Street Portland, Oregon  97213   This will be followed by a celebration in the gym at Trinity Lutheran School, 5520 N.E. Killingsworth, Portland.    In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, the National Kidney Foundation, and Kaiser Hospice.