Marilyn E. Murray

Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Marilyn E. Murray, 80, of St. Joseph will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 14, 2014 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in St. Joseph. Marilyn passed away peacefully with family by her side on Sunday, August 10, 2014 at Assumption Home in Cold Spring after a lengthy struggle with Parkinson’s disease. Reverend Jerome Tupa, OSB will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in the parish cemetery.

Family and friends may call from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday and after 9:00 a.m. on Thursday both at the Heritage Hall Parish Center in St. Joseph. Parish prayers will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the parish center. Arrangements are with Daniel Funeral Home, St. Joseph.

Marilyn was born on October 26, 1933 in Durbin, North Dakota to John and Irene (Sullivan) Yunker. During her school years she boarded with the Presentation Nuns and attended and graduated from Shanley High School. Marilyn then attended the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph where she attained her Bachelor’s Degree in Music. After college, while teaching in Wahpeton, ND she met Thomas J. Murray in church while he was on leave from the Air Force. They were married on June 1, 1957 at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Casselton, North Dakota. They lived in the Chicago area prior to moving to the St. Cloud area in 1966. Marilyn was employed as a music teacher in Chicago and St. Cloud, retiring in 1985. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Parish where she was active teaching preschool music, singing in the church choir and later taking on other roles as the Deacon’s wife. Marilyn was also very active as facilitator for the St. Cloud area Parkinson’s Support Group, and past president of the College of St. Benedict Class of 1955 Alumni. Marilyn volunteered on Wednesdays for many years at St. Benedict’s Senior Community Center playing piano and singing.

As a woman of many talents, Marilyn enjoyed gourmet cooking, needlepoint and quilting. Marilyn was blessed with a beautiful voice and perfect pitch, sharing her talent first in college singing opera and later teaching music. She will be remembered for her generosity and for her consideration of others.

Marilyn is survived by her loving husband of 57 years; Deacon Tom of St. Joseph; children, Tim (Sandy) of St. Joseph, Maureen Murray of St. Cloud, Ann (Eric) Pazandak of Eden Prairie, Ellen Murray of St. Joseph, Mike (Carmen) of Madrid, Spain; nine grandchildren; one great granddaughter; and siblings, Patrica Yunker (Dale Bolls) of Waseca and John (Lana) Yunker of Ladue, Missouri.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Timothy Yunker and Joan Mikula.

A special thank you to Heartland Hospice for their loving care during Marilyn’s last months.