Morilla Ann “Pud” Hursh Fothergill

Morilla Ann “Pud” Hursh Fothergill died on September 16, 2025 at her home in Baldwin City, KS after spending her final hours with nearly every member of her family. She was born May 14, 1934 in Kansas City, KS, the daughter of Frank E. and Georgeann (Dewey) Hursh. She attended Wyandotte High School where she was active in many clubs. She attended Baker University in Baldwin City, where her involvement in the Phi Mu sorority left a life-long impact.

On April 21, 1956 in Denver, CO, she married Charles R. Fothergill. They raised their family in Aspen, CO when it was still a quaint old mining town full of free spirits. She and her children lived in Gunnison, CO for five years before moving to Emporia, KS in 1978.

She worked at Emporia State University for twenty years before retiring to Baldwin City. She was a long-time member of P. E. O. and on the ZA of Phi Mu Corporation Board for many years. In Baldwin City she volunteered at the Public Library and was nominated for Kansas State Volunteer of the Year in 2013. She was also active in Book Club and Bridge Club. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Memories of her father’s love of baseball in Kansas City gave her a lifelong love of the Royals. She loved camping in the mountains with her family, planting trees and playing bridge.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Frank W. Hursh of Baldwin City, her son-in-law Roy E. Deel of Baldwin City, and her ex-husband. She also outlived all her close friends.

She is survived by five children; Connie Deel, of Tijeras, NM; Lynne Fothergill of Baldwin City, KS, Wade (Michelle) Fothergill of Elbert, CO; Cody Fothergill of Lenexa, KS; Forrest (Melissa) Fothergill of Lake Charles, LA; former daughter-in-law, Rita Fothergill of Lenexa, KS; nine grandchildren; Chapin (Marie) Deel of Albuquerque, NM, Nathan Deel (Holly O’Neal) of Topeka, KS, Mattie (Kayla) Cooper of Stanley, NM, Emylene, Maxwell, & Macey Fothergill of Elbert, CO; Emelia & Nora Fothergill of Lenexa, KS, Hunter Fothergill of Lake Charles, LA and a step granddaughter Railey (Jayvan) Schaubhut of Poplarville, MS. Four great grandchildren, Araceli & Lorena Deel of Albuquerque, NM, Avilynn & Holland Deel of Topeka, KS, and step great granddaughter Raivyn Schaubhut of Poplarville, MS

A memorial service and a private burial in Osceola, MO will follow next year under the charge of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home of Lawrence, KS.