David L. Murray, 78, of Kendall passed away Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, after a two-year battle with IPF (Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis), a rare lung disease that at this time has no known cause or cure.
He was born Dec. 8, 1934, to Ethel (Kyes) and Hugh Thomas Sr. Murray in Kendall. David was blessed to have had two beautiful women in his life.
He married Eugenia L. Sullivan on April 27, 1957. From this union came five children: Linda (Lud) Ludeking, Michael (Jodi) Murray, Jon (Jana) Murray, Steve (Melissa) Murray and Ronnie (Mary) Murray. After 40 years of marriage, Genie passed from cancer in 1997.
The Lord blessed the Murray family by bringing Eileen VonHaden into David’s life. They were united in marriage May 15, 1999. With Eileen came five daughters: Sharon (Darrell) Peterson, Nancy (William) Adis, Gina (Robert) Grueneberg, Robin VonHaden and Dana (Mitch) Steebs.
David worked for Lund’s Garage in Tomah and ran the family farm from 1957 until moving back to Kendall to farm full time. The farm was designated a “century farm” in 2006. David semi-retired from farming in 1991, when Steve and Melissa Murray bought the home farm. He continued to help with fieldwork until the later stages of his illness prevented him from doing so. He worked for the Village of Kendall for three years, and then he took over the duties as the Township of Glendale patrolman for 15 years, until his retirement at age 70.
After retiring, he spent many hours on the farm, cutting and stacking wood. It gave him a sense of peace to be outside with God and nature. It was one of the things he missed most after the illness took over.
David will be most remembered for his sense of humor. Let it never be said he didn’t enjoy hearing (and especially telling) a good joke or story! He loved playing sports, especially softball, and he played and managed teams for many years, getting to play on the field with his boys. His joy was getting to watch his children and later his grandchildren play and succeed in their sporting endeavors throughout the years.
He leaves his grandchildren, Tyler and Trevor Ludeking, Malachi and Moriah Murray, Jordan, Jackson and Jefferson Murray, Kaytlin, Kelsey and Erin Murray, Hillary and Emerson (great-grandchild), Alexis and Sydney Murray, Logan, Aaron, Kim, and David Peterson, Haden, Emily, Katelyn and Courtney Adis, and David and Dakota Grueneberg; a brother, Doug (Yvonne) Murray; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Alice (Bugs) Murray, Mary (Bob) Mahr, Esther Sullivan, Joe Dorcey and Charles Sullivan, Florence (Gerald) May, Ralph (Janet) Gehl, Marion Gehl, Alan (Melanie) Gehl, Ivan (Janean) Gehl, Gloria Gehl and Gary (Amy) Gehl; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.
David was preceded in death by his wife, Eugenia; his parents, Ethel and Hugh Murray Sr.; one brother, Hugh Thomas (Bugs) Jr.; two sisters, Oka Wilcox and Jane Corn; an infant sister; his brothers-in-law, Lyle Corn, Robert Wilcox and Clarence Sullivan; his sisters-in-law, Donnaphee Murray and Irene Dorcey; and his mother- and father-in-law, Clarence and Frieda (Schaller) Sullivan.
A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Kendall. Rev. Richard C. Dickman will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Relatives and friends are invited to call at the church from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday and one hour prior to services Wednesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the family in David’s memory.
The Smith-Nelson Funeral Home in Kendall is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
