Faye Murray
Faye Murray, 84, of Wisconsin Dells, died Monday, Sept. 28, 2009 at St. Clare Hospital in Baraboo, with her daughter by her side, and son and son-in-law there in spirit.
Memorial funeral services will be Monday, Oct. 5, at 11 a.m. at the Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Wisconsin Dells with Mother Joan Smoke officiating. Visitation will be at the Picha Funeral Home in Lake Delton, on Sunday, Oct. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m., with the Order of Eastern Star rite at 7:30 p.m., and on Monday at Holy Cross Episcopal Church from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m.
Faye was born in Harlan, Iowa, the daughter of Peter and Lillian Krogh Nissen. While the boys were overseas in World War II, Faye served our country working in a war plant in Detroit, Mich. Those were tough times for our country, but Faye lifted up the spirits of many through song and dance. In May 1949, she was united in marriage to Kenneth Murray. They were blessed with three children: Virginia “Ginny”, Lee and Linda. The family farm kept Faye busy, but she added to its beauty through her gardens. She taught all of her children the importance of stewardship, whether it be of land, people or things. Born of a Lutheran tradition, Faye felt very comfortable when she married into and became a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal, later Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Wisconsin Dells. She was a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Kilbourn Chapter #120, serving in leadership positions as worthy matron, associate worthy matron and many other offices. Faye also had a 25+ year career in the hardware industry in which she took pride. At retirement, she filled her hours of quiet strength and boundless interest in others by volunteering with the local Literacy Council.
Faye is survived by her son, Lee Murray of Wisconsin Dells; daughter, Linda Murray of Madison; son-in-law, Darrell Smith of Baraboo; just like family, Beth Krahn of Wisconsin Dells, Judy Pellowski of Madison and Linda Lloyd of Wisconsin Dells; sister-in-law, Regina Petersen of Huntsville, Ala.; nieces, grandnieces and grandnephews; her past literacy students across four continents; and many extended family friends.
Faye was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Murray; daughter, Virginia “Ginny” Murray-Smith; brother, Charles and sister-in-law, Dorothy Petersen; brother-in-law, Robert and sister-in-law, Phyllis Peterson; brother-in-law, Morgan and sister-in-law, Myrtle Mathews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Order of Eastern Star, Kilbourn Chapter #120, or the Wisconsin Dells Literacy Council.
The Picha Funeral Home and Crematory of Lake Delton, Wisconsin assisted the family with arrangements. For online condolences, go to www.pichafuneralhome.com.