E. Morris "Doc" Faugerstrom

E. Morris “Doc” Faugerstrom, 94, of Plymouth, MN, passed away on June 17, 2025. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, musician, teacher, mentor, friend and a faithful Christian servant.

Born on May 26, 1931, in Kiron, Iowa, as a pastor’s kid, Morris developed a passion for both music and the church. After teaching himself the basics of playing out of the hymnal on their church piano in Melvin, Texas, he started piano and then organ lessons in earnest. From then on he regularly contributed to worship as a church musician—many of those years on staff at North Suburban Evangelical Free Church (Deerfield, IL)—playing preludes, accompanying others, participating in ensembles and directing choral music. Through his music he always strove to balance performance excellence with meaningful worship. 

After receiving his B.Mus. in performance at Wheaton College, in 1952, he became a professor of music and eventually chairman of the music department at Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL, a career that lasted for over 45 years. When early in his career he earned his PhD from Northwestern University (Evanston, IL), Morris became affectionately known as “Doc.” While at Trinity he directed the concert choir, which toured extensively throughout the US and Europe. 

Through teaching, advising, rehearsing, and performing, he developed lifelong bonds with many of his students and colleagues. In fact, he fell in love with his sweetheart, Beverly Cassel, when she studied organ under him in the 1950s. Morris and Beverly were married in 1959, and their partnership in music and life lasted for 65 years. Together they lovingly raised three daughters and doted on eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren. 

In his retirement Morris continued to play both organ and piano as long as he physically could. During the last decade, he and Bev enjoyed participating in the Silver Creek on Main (Maple Grove, MN) Bible study and chapel. 

Morris Faugerstrom is survived by his wife Beverly, daughters Brenda (Lance) Haseltine, Andrea (Scott) Bakke, Marci (Mike) Vieceli; grandchildren Kara (Brian) Schwarz, Jacob (Sarah) Haseltine, Benjamin Haseltine, Amy (Jimmy) Dreger, Julius Bakke, Michael Vieceli, Daniel Vieceli, David Vieceli; and great grandchildren Caspian Schwarz, Everett Schwarz and Miles Dreger. He was preceded in death by his father Harry Faugerstrom and mother Alma Faugerstrom. 

A memorial service will be held at Westgate Church in Plymouth, MN, on Saturday, August 2. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. and the service at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon following. Memorial donations may be made to Trinity International University or Evangelical Free Church Home Missions.

Morris filled our lives with beautiful music and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.