Laura Kitto Morgan, "Sister", "MahpiyaWin" (Sky Woman)

Laura Kitto Morgan, "Sister", "MahpiyaWin" (Sky Woman) 85

October 22, 1934 - December 31, 2019

Laura Kitto Morgan, "Sister", "MahpiyaWin" (Sky Woman) 85, of Bigfork Valley, Minnesota, gracefully started her spirit journey on December 31, 2019 after living with Alzheimer's for many years. Her children are comforted by knowing that their father greeted her to lead her on her journey after they have endured alongside her difficult battle with Alzheimer's.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 1:00 pm at the New Little Rock Center at Red Lake, MN.

Laura was born on October 22, 1934 to Alice (Skillings) and Reuben Kitto, Sr. at Cheyenne River Agency in Eagle Butte, South Dakota. She started her life living on the Santee Sioux Reservation before moving to Minneapolis at a young age; she was a member of Marshall High School's Class of 1952. As a child, she loved to sew, spend time with her siblings, and participate in the church choir. Laura met her future husband at a young age and married Melvin "Manny" Morgan on August 15, 1959. They made Minneapolis their home, where Laura worked for the City of Minneapolis as a public school secretary. She had the opportunity to work in many schools across Minneapolis where she made relationships and influenced the lives of many young American Indian youth. Laura also was in the Navy Reserves from 1958-1962. After retirement in 1982, Laura moved to Manny's beloved homelands of Red Lake, MN. Laura lived her life in Red Lake to the fullest.

The Red Lake community recognized her talents in sewing and she served the community by projects such as altering uniforms for Red Lake Police Department, and making drapes for the new Thief River Falls Casino. Laura was an avid crafter and enjoyed passing her talents on to her children and grandchildren. Laura's hobbies included reading, berry picking, feeding hummingbirds, shopping new thrift stores, finding rummage sales, spending time with her children and her grandchildren, and countless sewing projects for her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She made ribbon shirts, collars, shawls, beaded, crafted, and beaded Christmas ornaments. Laura also spent her time making homemade jelly and cooking for anyone who found their way to her kitchen. She believed in feeding everyone who visited her home and so many people have special memories of her famous chocolate cake, popcorn balls, caramel corn, calico beans, and homemade biscuits. Many of her recipes live on in the kitchens of her children and grandchildren.

Laura was a proud Dakota woman who believed in the preservation of family history. She spent months with her brother and sister tracing their family history. Because of their efforts, Laura's family is able to continue sharing our Dakota history and knowledge with grandchildren today.

She is survived by her children, Alice (Clayton) Benaise, Kelly Morgan (Troy), Edith (Sue) Neadeau, Kit Morgan; step-son Melvin (Linda) Morgan; brother, Reuben (Sandra) Kitto, Jr.; grandchildren, Danykah Morgan, Troy (Melissa) Roberts, Jr., Jerald Roberts, Laura Roberts, Hunter Roberts, Bretannah Morgan, Jennalee Morgan, Skylor Morgan, Kat Morgan; and great-grandchildren, Dakota Roberts, Brynley Roberts, Charlie Morgan, Eli Martin, Jay B. Roberts, Jr., Lily Roberts, Austyn Morgan, and Ramirah Rosebear. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alice and Reuben Kitto, Sr.; her husband Melvin (Manny) Morgan; her sister, Margaret Kitto Butz; her step-son Leo Morgan; and her grandchildren Alicia and Joseph Morgan. The family would like to acknowledge the following for their unwavering support during this difficult time: Raquel (Rocky) Luftman, Patricia Kounkel, Charlotte Skillings, Linda Jones, Donna Wilks, Barbara Kitto, Cheryl Dicken and Bigfork Valley Hospital Aspen Circle Memory Care Unit, especially Annette, Jessica and staff who provided the best loving care for Laura in her final years.

Please join Laura's family for a Memorial Service on Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 1:00 pm at the New Little Rock Center at Red Lake, MN. Memorials or live plants are preferred in memoriam due to Laura's allergies to flowers.