Vanessa R. Morser, 53, Minot, died Saturday, January 16, 2010, in a Minot hospital, following a courageous three year battle with cancer. She remained at home as long as possible, passing away in her sleep only hours after being admitted.

Vanessa Ruth Crawford was born in Canton, Ohio on November 4, 1956, the daughter of Charles F. and Norma Jean (Smith) Crawford. Following her father's death when she was just four, Vanessa and her family moved to Uniontown, PA, where she and her brother and sister were raised by their mother, grandmother and other relatives. As a young girl, Vanessa earned her own money by babysitting for neighbors. She was attending Uniontown High School when she met the love of her life, Larry J. Morser. Vanessa and Larry were united in marriage on October 1, 1972.

Following her husband's enlistment in the US Air Force, Vanessa left Uniontown and began her life as an Air Force wife and mother. Her son Michael was born in Texas, her son Scott in Pennsylvania, and her daughters Jennifer and Heather in California. During her husband's 23 year career, Vanessa packed up her family and household and moved many times. She lived in Texas, Pennsylvania, California, England, Wyoming, Germany and finally in North Dakota. Wherever she found herself, Vanessa made good friends and worked hard. She was employed at NCO and Officer's clubs, child care centers, bakeries such as Dunkin Donuts and The Donut Hole and at the Target store.

Although never monetarily wealthy, Vanessa lived a rich life. She gazed in awe over tulip fields in the Netherlands; touched the ancient monoliths of Stonehenge; lunched at a small café in Paris; shopped at a street market in Madrid; climbed the winding stairs up the Leaning Tower of Pisa; strode the ancient stones of the Roman Coliseum; fed the pigeons in Trafalgar Square; and was amazed by America's wonders such as the Grand Canyon, Fisherman's Wharf, Mount Rushmore, the giant redwoods and Yellowstone. But no matter how far she traveled or what she experienced, her greatest joy was always found at home. Whether going camping nearby, playing games, caring for her grandchildren, admiring their artwork or encouraging and loving them all, the bedrock of Vanessa's life was her family. What always impressed her most and what she was unendingly proud of were the lives and accomplishments of all her children and grandchildren. She spent as much time as possible with them, raising them, nursing them, teaching them, learning to let them go and, above all, loving them unconditionally.

Vanessa is survived by, her husband of 37 years, Larry, Minot; her sons, Michael Morser, Malta, MT, E. Scott Morser, currently in South Korea; daughters, Jennifer Lindsey, Bellevue, NE and Heather Malone, Minot, ND; grandchildren, Ashlynn and Megan Morser, Sierra and Kylee Morser, Alesha, Heidi, Joseph and Jeremy Lindsey and Adele, Victoria, and Mercedes Malone; brother, Thomas Crawford, Uniontown, PA; sister, Barbara Moore, Pittsburgh, PA and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Vanessa was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral service: Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Visitation: Wednesday, January 20, 2010, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.