Obituary of Jenifer Willis

Jenifer (Morrell) Willis, 56, fiercely battled cancer until Sunday, December 15th, 2019. Jeni was born in June 1963, in Puyallup, WA to Carol and Bill Morrell.  Raised in a musical household, Jeni graduated from Rogers High School in 1981 and went on to become a proud WSU graduate and forever Coug, majoring in elementary education. She went on to earn a Master’s Degree from Pacific Lutheran University in 1990 and in 2010 became Nationally Board Certified.  Jeni was married to the love of her life, RD Willis, for 35 years. 

As an elementary teacher, Jeni radiated light.  She was the kind of teacher every child deserves, the kind we all would wish for our own children. She believed in children unconditionally and treated each one as her own. She hugged and loved on them every day. She did everything she could to be the best teacher to each and every one of her students. To be her student, to enter her classroom, felt like coming home. What lucky kiddos, every class a family.  Serving in the Puyallup School District for 34 years, Mrs. Willis impacted the lives of hundreds of children, and her Fruitland family will miss her dearly.

She loved her family, proud mother of her daughter Austen and son-in-law Will, and her son Aaron and his new bride Kimmy.  She was over the moon to be a grandmother to twins Roland and Magnus, who recently celebrated their first birthdays. She loved to share about her children and grandbabies. She beamed when she talked about them, such a proud mom and grandma. Jeni cherished her family adventures and memories they had made over the years.   

Jeni is survived by her husband, RD, daughter Austen (wife to Will Hamilton), son Aaron (husband to Kimmy Willis), twin grandsons Roland and Magnus, sister Jana (wife to Jeff Rodenburg), and mother Carol Morrell.  She was preceded in death by her father, Bill Morrell, and brother, Jason Morrell.

A celebration of life will be held at Motion Church, 601 9^th Ave SE, Puyallup, WA 98372 on Saturday, January 18^th – 10 AM