Mary Murray

Mary Louise Murray was born August 30, 1932 in Graceville, MN, the daughter of Arthur and Beatrice (Halvorson) Winter. She grew up in Bejou, MN where she attended grade school and graduated high school from Mahnomen Public High School. After graduation, she attained a teaching certificate from Mayville State College and went on to teach at a one-room, country school in North Dakota for one year.

It was in Mayville where Mary met the love of her life, Bill. After their first date, Mary said that she knew Bill was the one because he could hold an intelligent conversation. On December 27, 1950, Mary married William (Bill) Murray and they began their 49-year marriage. Mary took great joy in her family and loved seeing it grow; and she was a devoted sister, wife, mother, and grandmother. Mary was active in her church and was a small business owner for many years while she was busy raising her family; she had a tireless work ethic, many times sacrificing her needs before others. Mary did not sit idle and was always working on something. If you were lucky, it was a dessert she had perfected. She was genuine with many tremendous traits including integrity, humility, and kindness. Her family would describe her as generous, a believer in second chances, and a source of unconditional love. She was an avid reader, enjoyed crocheting and quilting, fishing, following her favorite sports (PGA golf and the Minnesota Twins) on television, and spending time with her family who will deeply miss her.

On Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020, at the age of 87, Mary passed away surrounded by family at Bethany on the Lake in Alexandria. She is survived by her seven children, Elizabeth Jane (William) Lannoye of Elbow Lake; Michael Murray of Kensington; Holly Murray of Kensington; Theresa (Davis) Larson of Kensington; Mary Kathleen (Darwyn) of Tenstrike; Christopher (Natalie) Murray of Woodbury; and Maureen Murray of Minneapolis; 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, and her sisters: Babe (Karsten) Berge of Whitefish, MT, Connie (Leland) Ohren of Moorhead, MN, and Patty (Jack) Morefield of Glendale, AZ. Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Art and Beatrice; husband, Bill, and sisters Carol and Betty.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, March 10th, 2020 at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of the Runestone Catholic Church in Kensington, with visitation from 10-11 AM at the church. Visitation will be on Monday, March 9th from 5-7 PM at Our Lady of the Runestone Catholic Church in Kensington, with a Parish Rosary at 6:45 PM. Interment to follow in the church cemetery.