C. Morris "Morrie" Anderson , 80, Minot and longtime Minot area farmer, a Minot civic leader and the founder, owner and operator of North Hill Bowl died peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday July 10, 2009 in a Minot hospital from cancer.

Morrie Anderson was born on April 16, 1929 in Russell, North Dakota to Clarence and Viola (Goheen) Anderson. He was reared on the family farm near Russell and graduated from Russell High School in 1947. As a young adult he farmed in the Russell area.

Morrie married Bette Lu Hahn on June 18, 1950. Shortly after they married they bought a dairy farm on North Hill. Not satisfied with the return on his investment, he sold the dairy farm in 1957 to finance the construction of North Hill Bowl and the residential development of his land in the vicinity of the bowling center. In addition to running the bowling center and his housing development interests, he farmed more than 10,000 acres of land at one point in his career and was active in the development of the Ramada Inn/International Inn into a full service hotel and convention center.

As a Minot area civic leader, Morrie served three terms in the North Dakota Legislature as a Representative and Senator. He was a past president and director of the Minot Area Development Corporation, Dakota Boys Ranch Association, Minot Beverage Dealers Association, North Dakota Bowling Proprietors Association, Minot State University Board of Regents, First National/Norwest/ Wells Fargo Bank and North Hill Merchants Association. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Minot Chamber of Commerce, Minot Country Club, Minot Y's Men, Farmers and Ranchers Life Insurance Company and Minot Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees). Morrie was a Governor's appointee of the ND Economic Development Commission, Chairman of the Board of the International Inn Inc., Trustee and founding partner of Investors Real Estate Trust (IRET), a past chairman of the Minot Y's Men's Rodeo, co-founder of the Ag Exposition, Regional Vice President of the Bowling Proprietors Association of America and consultant for the American Machine and Foundry Co. He was especially proud of bowling a 300 (Perfect) game in 1982, serving as the event host of the Professional Bowlers Association Tour event, being the first recipient of the Minot Chamber of Commerce Free Enterprise Award in 1977 and his induction in the Minot and North Dakota Bowling Halls of Fame. He has been a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Kiwanis Club, Elks Lodge, Eagles Aerie, Rotary Club and the Inquisitors.

Morris and his family have been boating on Lake Sakakawea for forty years. During the Summer you could always find Morris watching or listening to Twins baseball on TV or radio while smoking his cigars. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren lovingly called him "Papo and he enjoyed having all of them with him on his boat "Big Daddy" . Morris, along with Bette, was actively involved in the lives of their grandchildren and great grandchildren attending sporting and school events. Morris liked hunting and fishing, especially his trips to Alaska. He also took delight in bowling, golfing and traveling.

Morrie's loving family includes his wife of 59 years Bette; daughters: Rhonda (Greg) DeMakis and Renee (Al) Shirley both of Minot; grandchildren: Charles (Ashley) and Michael DeMakis, Ryan (Brooke), Rory (Megan) and Rody Selk all of Minot; great grandchildren: Alexander and Caden (sons of Charles and Ashley); Ashton (son of Michael); Jackson and his expected sibling (children of Ryan and Brooke) and a child of Rory and Megan who will be arriving soon; sisters: Carole (Donn) Roach of Fargo, ND; Corene (Dick) Dunn of New Hope, MN; Connie Anderson of Hopkins, MN; brothers: Gary (Sharon) Anderson of Sun City West, AZ, Gene (Laural) Anderson of Broomfield, CO and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Morrie was preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Betty Pfau and Peggy Brown and brother: Richard Anderson.

Funeral Service : Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Mark's Lutheran Church - Minot.
Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens - Minot.
Visitation : Monday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the Thomas Family Funeral Home - Minot.
Memorials are preferred to North Hill Bowl Jr. Bowlers Scholarship Fund, St Mark's Church Building Fund or the American Cancer Society.