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Services for Dr. R. E. Morton, who served as president of Dana College from 1944 until 1956 and who died this past weekend in Lodi, California were Tuesday, May 23, 1995 in Lodi.

R. E. Morton was born in Luck, Wisconsin in 1908. He first came to Dana as a student in 1927. Two years later, he transferred to the University of Minnesota where he competed his Bachelor of Arts degree. He then returned to Blair and graduated from Trinity Seminary before serving as pastor of two Wisconsin congregations.

He accepted the call to the Dana presidency in 1944 from Ebenezer Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chicago.

He spearheaded the effort which resulted in Dana’s eventual accreditation by the North Central Association – perhaps the single most important event to take place at the college since its founding. He also initiated the drive which made possible the construction of Pioneer Memorial.

He left the Dana presidency in 1956 to accept a call as pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Lodi, California. He served in that capacity until his retirement several years ago.

He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Mildred Johnson.

He is survived by a daughter, D’Arlene Rosenau; two sons, Richard and Robert and several grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials be made in his name to Dana College.

Note: Since the actual death date was not given, the services date was used.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~