Harriet Morrissey Obituary

Harriet Morrissey

January 4, 1926 - October 7, 2026

Harriet was born to Fred and Paula Wolter in Seward, Nebraska, on January 4, 1926. She was the middle child of the family with an older sister, Paula, and younger brother, Fred. The whole family lived their lives based on the teachings of the Lutheran religion. Fred and Paula both worked for the Concordia School District in Seward. Upon graduating from high school, Harriet moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, to attend the Lincoln School of Commerce where she learned her skills in clerical duties and bookkeeping. Harriet was an exceptional mathematician, and this skill proved to be helpful as a bookkeeper.

While living in Lincoln, Harriet rented a boarding room near 25th and B streets from Stella and Harley White. The Whites at this time were raising little Tommie Morrissey, who at that time was 7 or 8 years old, for his dad, Thomas D. (Bud) Morrissey, Sr., while he was serving in the military. Stella and Harley were aunt and uncle to Bud. Bud Morrissey would stop over and pick up his son, Tommie, every Friday night and go out to dinner. Little Tommie had taken a liking to Harriet as she would help him build model cars and airplanes while living at 25th and B street location. Little Tommie asked his father if this nice lady named Harriet could go with them for their Friday night outing and have a meal. That was where and how Bud Morrissey met Harriet Wolter.

Upon graduating from the Lincoln School of Commerce with an associates degree in clerical and bookkeeping skills, Harriet then became employed at the University of Nebraska. Harriet did not have a car and would take the bus from 25th and B Street to work downtown at UNL. During this same time, Bud Morrissey was employed as a journeyman plumber for Faye Dynus Plumbing Company near 14th and O Streets in downtown Lincoln. Bud had transportation and asked Harriet if she would like him to pick her up and take her downtown each morning and take her home after work. This would save Harriet from the task of riding the bus twice a day. This is how Harriet got to know Bud Morrissey.

After a while, Bud and Harriet began dating and going out dancing. Harriet always made the comment that Bud was a good dancer, and his dancing skills won her over. Bud and Harriet fell in love and were wed on June 9, 1947, following the end of World War II. The married couple first lived on 17th and Sioux streets in the basement of Bud's mother's house. Near this time Bud had obtained a plumbing truck and tools and was working as a master plumber jump starting the old truck every morning to get to work. As Bud's small plumbing company began to grow, he built a small plumbing shop at 14th and Stockwell and a new house three blocks away at St. Mary's Street and Stockwell, which was only three blocks away for the young couple to live. As Bud obtained more plumbing work due to the housing

boom of the early 1950's, his business grew and he then needed Harriet's bookkeeping skills to further his business. Thus Morrissey's Plumbing and Heating Inc. was formed with Harriet becoming a co-owner.

On January 29, 1954, a son was born to Harriet and Bud named John Matthew (Matt) Morrissey, similar to John Thomas Morrissey, Bud's father. On March 8, 1957, a daughter was born to Harriet and Bud named Lynn Patricia Morrissey. Around 1957, Bud's younger son, Tommie, enlisted in the Army for 6 years and upon completing his military duties around 1963, Tommie moved into the St. Mary's residence with Bud and Harriet.

Around 1964, the plumbing business was also getting into commercial construction, and the plumbing business was again expanding. Bud and Harriet then built a new house at 2711 Kucera Drive in the Bishop Heights subdivision. They remained in that house until Bud's death in 2009. Bud and Harriet enjoyed 62 years of marriage together. Harriet continued to live in the house after Bud's death until 2020. Wanting to downsize, Harriet sold that house and moved across the street to a condominium in Bishop Square at 3901 South 27th Street.

On October 7, 2026, at 100 years old, Harriet passed away at home in the care of her granddaughter, Ember Mensah, a Registered Nurse. Like her husband Bud, Harriet wanted to be at home when she died. Mission accomplished! Harriet lived a long and full life in the company of her family and her dogs. There were many dogs, and Harriet treated those dogs like they were her kids also. Another amazing trait Harriet always had was stepping in to help when a relative or friend was in need. Harriet was always willing to lend a helping hand.

Harriet was preceded in death by her father, Fred, mother, Paula, sister, Paula, brother, Fred, husband, Bud, stepson, Tommie, brother in-law, Jimmie Morrissey, sister-in-law, Maxine Morrissey, and her many dogs. Survivors include her son, Matt Morrissey, daughter, Lynn Morrissey, grandchildren, Orion Morrissey, Patrick Morrissey, Zachary Morrissey, Ember Mensah, and four great-grandchildren.

Private graveside services will be held at Lincoln Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Capital City Humane Society.

Condolences are available online at roperandsons.com