Biography

Esther Morris Rasmussen was born on November 20, 1914, in Niles, Michigan, the first child of Richard B. Morris (1891-1974) and Lillian V. Steinbauer Morris (1890-1985). Esther graduated from Niles High School in 1931 and Western State Teacher’s College (now Western Michigan University) in 1938 with a B.S. in Music Education. In October of 1932, Esther rented a room with the Leo B., Sr. (1890-1975) and Cornelia Brown Morris (1890-1965) and their son, Leo. B. Jr. (1914-1988). Following her stay with the Rasmussen family, Esther dated Leo. Jr. while he attended University of Michigan, Medical School. Esther had five brothers, Richard E. (1916-1987), Edward (1918-1991), Walter G. (1921-2011, Robert S. (1923-1945), and Harold (1925-2009).