MURRAY, Don (1932-2018)

MURRAY

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/8/2024 at 09:18:02

Don Murray
(April 25, 1932 - May 17, 2018)

Don Murray, age 86, of Ida Grove, Iowa passed away on Thursday, May 17, 2018, at St. Anthony’s Nursing Home of Carroll, Iowa. Funeral Mass will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 22, 2018 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Father Richard D. Ball will officiate; with Committal Services following in the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery of Denison, Iowa; Military Rites will be conducted by McNamara Moore Post No. 61 of Ida Grove, Iowa. A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 5:00 p.m. and a Vigil at 7:00 p.m., Monday, May 21, 2018 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. The Christensen -Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements.
Donald Louis Murray, the son of Owen E. and Marie M. (Majek) Murray was born on April 25, 1932, in Hay Springs, NE. He was baptized a Catholic at Mission Sacred Heart Church of Mirage Flats, NE and he would later make his first communion and confirmation. Don grew up on the family farm and attended country school where he would ride a horse to and from school daily. Don attended a boarding high school in Hay Springs at an early age because he skipped middle school for being so well educated. He enjoyed school plays and was involved with the FFA. The FFA took Don to Kansas City where he got introduced to Roy Rogers at a National FFA Convention. He graduated with the class of 1949 from Hay Springs High School. The Korean War began and in 1952, Don enlisted in the Navy and proudly served in a fighter squadron until he was honorably discharged in 1956. After being discharged, he then attended the Electronic Institute of Omaha and received an Associates of Engineering Degree in Electronics. This gained him employment working on the development of the Titan Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. On August 29, 1959, Don was united in marriage to Darlene Anna Fredericks in Charter Oak, IA. They returned to Nebraska where Don worked at a TV station as an engineer. To this union two children were born, Rondel and Cindy (Murray) Larson. Don and his family later returned to Iowa to farm and also worked on tractors, televisions, radios, and CB’s. Don was actively involved in the Catholic Church as a reader, eucharistic minister, usher, served on the parish council and finance council. He was a trustee for Crawford County Hanover Township and as well as a voting judge for the township. He served on the Crawford Country ASC committee, the county extension board, was president of the Farm Service Coop for 12 years and on the State Board of Coops. Don was also involved with the American Legion. Don enjoyed life and was always interested in new technology dealing with space, health, farming, television, or politics. Don’s wife Darlene passed away in 1988 of a brain tumor. He then married La Vonne (Streck) Christiansen on June 10, 1990 and became part of a great new large family. Donald was preceded in death by his parents Owen and Marie Murray; first wife Darlene Murray; and step daughter Patti Berens. Left to cherish his memory are his wife La Vonne (Streck-Christiansen) Murray of Ida Grove, IA; daughter Cindy (Tim) Larson of Ames, IA; son Rondel Murray of Halbur, IA; grandson Jared Larson of Ames, IA; step children Sandra (Mike) Einfeldt, Brad (friend Michelle) Christiansen, Jan (Joe) Koeings, Joy (Melvin) Booth, Brian (Lisa) Christiansen; step son-in-law Tom Berens; numerous step grandchildren and great-grandchildren; as well as extended family and friends. Source - Christenson-Van Houten Funeral Services, 321 2nd St., Ida Grove, IA. 51445