Teresa Morlock

Lansford

Teresa L. Morlock, 56, Lansford, passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at a Minot hospital, with her loving husband, Greg, by her side, following a brief, unexpected battle with breast cancer.

Teresa LeAnn Helming was born September 22, 1966, in Minot, the oldest daughter of Robert and Diana (Spelhaug) Helming. She was raised in rural Lansford on the family farm. Teresa attended school in Lansford and graduated from Lansford High School in 1985. Following graduation, Teresa enrolled at the Headquarters Academy of Hair Design in Minot. Upon her course completion, she co-operated The Hair Connection in Lansford with Vicki Savelkoul, starting their business in the fall of 1987. Shortly thereafter, Teresa’s life would change forever when she met her partner for life, Greg A. Morlock, of Egeland, who was teaching at Lansford High School at the time.

Following the closure of Lansford High School, Greg and Teresa moved to Devils Lake. Teresa worked a couple different jobs while in Devils Lake along with enrolling in classes at Lake Region College. During her time in Devils Lake, Teresa found her true passion when she was hired by Four Winds Community School as a Childcare Specialist. Her main duty was to provide childcare for current high school students enrolled at Four Winds High School. Teresa made it possible for teenage parents to continue their education all while knowing their children were in loving and caring hands. Teresa went above and beyond during her time at Four Winds School. When a young toddler had nowhere to go, Teresa and Greg took her in and made her their own until her parent was able to get back on her feet. Nothing speaks more towards Teresa’s loving heart than that situation. Teresa would always say, “That was my favorite job ever.”

Teresa and Greg were united in marriage on July 1, 1994, in Grand Forks. They then returned to Lansford not knowing what direction their careers were headed. One thing was definite though, they knew in their hearts that Lansford would be their home and eventually provide them with quite possibly the best place on earth to raise their family. Teresa opened a daycare in Lansford in the basement of her grandmother’s home in the fall of 1994. She would operate there for three years until she and Greg moved to a home on the edge of town. She continued to operate her daycare from their home until 2007.

Teresa and Greg’s lives changed forever on July 23, 2003, with the arrival of their first son Ryan Morlock. They didn’t stop there as they would also be blessed with two more sons. Riley Morlock was born on October 6, 2005, and Reid Morlock, who was born on February 19, 2008. Needless to say, Teresa loved kids and was an integral part in caring for and raising countless peoples’ children. The love and care she provided for other’s kids would only be rivaled by the love she had for her three boys.

Teresa’s sole purpose in life was to be the absolute best mom she could be. That was evident by the endless hot meals (Which you better NOT BE LATE FOR!), snacks provided for class parties at school, holiday gatherings and yes, even emergency trips out to the field because her boys were starving! Teresa never missed any of her boys’ events. They were her top priority. Even when she recently fell ill, she followed her boys on her iPad from her hospital bed. When she wasn’t busy supporting the boys, she enjoyed trips to Arizona and Florida with family and friends.

She loved the sunshine. Gardening, tending to her flower beds and nursing newly planted trees filled many of her summer days. On hot summer days, you would find her by their swimming pool basking in the sunshine. She and Greg hosted numerous pool parties for family and friends. She became the information center amongst her friends when it came to maintaining a top-quality pool. Teresa always had the cleanest, clearest, and most well-kept summer pool. The joy she provided to so many on those hot summer days will be remembered forever.

Teresa was very selfless.

She not only provided help to kids. She spent many hours helping both of her grandparents. When her father’s health started to decline a few years ago, she stepped up to help her mom and dad with day-to-day activities wherever and whenever she could. Her boys and Greg were by her side moving snow, cutting grass or trimming trees.

Teresa had a huge heart. She was caring and giving. She was a loving aunt to her nieces and nephews and always brought a smile to their faces. Though quiet and reserved, she had the gift to gab with her closest friends and family. She lived a life devoted to her family and friends. Words cannot express how dearly Teresa will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Her spirit and love will live on in the hearts of her boys, Greg and her family.

Family: Husband, Greg Morlock, Lansford; sons, Ryan, Riley and Reid Morlock, Lansford; parents, Robert and Dianna Helming, Lansford; siblings, Kristi (Michael) Debevec, Chandler, Ariz., Lora (Clarke) Stevens, Glenburn; several nieces and nephews; aunts and uncles, Larry and Betty Leitzke, Rapid City, S.D., Jim McKeating, Pittsburgh, Pa., Kenneth and Patty Spelhaug, Lansford, Fred and Kathy Helming, Fargo, Rodney Helming, Fargo, John and Gail DeWald, San Antonio, Texas; mother-in-law, Irma Morlock, Devils Lake; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Marlys Klemish, Mike and Beverly Loff, Terrance and Connie Schmidt, all of Devils Lake, and Lyle and Joni Morlock, Egeland.

Teresa was preceded in death by: Paternal grandparents, Lynn and Vivian (LaCrosse) Helming, maternal grandparents, Ray and Lou (Anderson) Spelhaug; aunts, Ann (Helming) DeWald, and Audrey (Spelhaug) McKeating; and father-in-law, Elmer Morlock.

Funeral: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Zion Lutheran Church, Mohall.

Sharing of Memories Service (Open to the public): 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 10, 2023, at the church.

Visitation: 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday, at Brose Funeral Home, Mohall. Friends may also sign the online guestbook at brosefuneralhome.com.

Memorials: Memorials preferred to Toys for Tots, Minot Area Homeless Coalition, or an organization that assists children and teenagers in need.

Published by The Minot Daily News, March 7, 2023.