Morita LaPriel Stucki, 80, of Idaho Falls, died Monday, May 22, 2017, at Life Care Center in Idaho Falls.

Morita was born on April 9, 1937, to Irvin Lemuel and Audessa LaPriel Glover Hathaway, in Chester, Idaho. She grew up in the Chester/St. Anthony area and graduated from South Freemont High School in 1955. She attended Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho.

On August 30, 1956, she married Howard D. Christiansen, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. To this union six children were born: Cindy, Kathryn, Alan, Niel, Byron and LaPriel. Howard died on December 21, 1996. Morita married Jerrold (Jerry) Stanley Stucki on January 30, 2004, in Idaho Falls.

Morita and Howard moved quite frequently. They lived in Utah, Montana, Connecticut, New Mexico, California, Idaho, Ohio, and Washington DC. After Howard's death, Morita sold their home in Moreland and moved to Idaho Falls, where she lived until her death.

Morita was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where she served faithfully in various capacities during her life: Sunday School, Primary, Cub Scouts, Young Women's, and Relief Society organizations. She served multiple times in the Church's Genealogy programs and worked with Howard managing a 10-acre apple farm owned by the Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Morita served multiple LDS missions both with her spouses and by herself. Morita also regularly volunteered at the schools her children attended.

Morita was a gifted homemaker. She preserved foods from her garden, made clothing, and quilts, and ran a clean, organized household.  She taught these skills to her children and others; and shared freely. She was a great example and had the heart of a servant.

She loved dancing and music brought her boundless joy. She enjoyed and was proficient at all kinds of needlework including embroidery, crochet, and knitting and liked to paint with oils. She had a good eye for color and decorating and always had a beautiful home.

Mom was compassionate, always serving others, and dedicated to her family and God to the very end. We could not have asked for a better mother.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry Stucki, of Idaho Falls; her daughters: Cindy Murdock, LaPriel (David) Stein, both of Idaho Falls, and Kathryn (Dan) Evans, of Pingree; her sons: Alan (Jackie) Christiansen, Byron (Becky) Christiansen, both of Idaho Falls, and Niel (Mhood) Christiansen, of Richland, Washington; Jerry's children: Brian (Mary Jo) Stucki, Trenna (Burt) Muckleroy, both of Idaho Falls, Pamela (Roger) Saunders, of Kaysville, Utah, Jeffrey (Sherri) Stucki, of West Bountiful, Utah; her brother, DeLynn (Lori) Hathaway, of St. Anthony; 22 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Audessa and Irvin Hathaway; two sisters: Clayta Eaton and Ann Hathaway; and two brothers, Gale Hathaway and Danny Hathaway.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 30, 2017, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Monday, May 29, 2017, and one hour prior to services both at Coltrin Mortuary. Interment will be in Moreland Cemetery, Moreland, Idaho. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com .