Don Murray

Don Robert Murray passed away from this life on November 11, 2025 at Essentia Hospital in Fargo. Don was surrounded by family as he entered into his life in Heaven.

Don was born April 8, 1926, in Springbrook Township east of Donaldson to parents William and Clara (Nelson) Murray. He spent his first seven years on the farm, starting school at five years of age in a little country school a mile and a quarter away. At age seven, the family moved to the farm south of Donaldson, and he spent the next 83 years there. He finished school through 8th grade at the Donaldson School and then attended high school in Stephen. Don graduated with the class of 1943.

He began farming with his dad and kept farming into the 1990's. Between his high school graduation and 1948, he met Idell Oien of Halma and began a love affair of over 70 years. They married September 10, 1948, and had their first baby, who died shortly after birth in March of 1950. Robert was born in 1951, Rich in 1953, and Ryan in 1956. This, along with many hard years of farming, made for a full life. In his 70s and 80s, Don also was a crop insurance adjuster and stayed busy with that. In 2016, they moved off the farm to a senior living complex in Fargo and spent their last years there. Idell passed away in 2018 and Don continued on living independently until his death at his beloved One Oak Place.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, William and Clara Murray; his brother, Bill (who died as a pilot in World War II); his sister, Betty Field; his wife, Idell; and his infant son, Byron.

Don is survived by his brother, James (MaryAnn) Murray of New Brighton, MN; his sons, Robert (Barb) Murray of Glenwood Springs, CO, Rich (Deb) Murray of Lusk, WY, and Ryan (Barb) Murray of Fargo, ND; his grandchildren, John (Mandy) Murray of Glenwood Springs, CO, Terri (Aaron) Lyles of Rozet, WY, Abby (Jonathan) Carpendale of Grand Junction, CO, Brittany (Tom) Coburn of Columbia Falls, MT, Kris (Cassidy) Murray of Driggs, ID, Alison (Travis) Pearce of Zimmerman, MN, and Elizabeth (Peter) Cannon of Burnsville, MN; his great grandchildren, Oscar and Tucker Murray, Grace and Avery Lyles, Josie Carpendale, Gabe and Jake Coburn, Piper Murray, and Damien (Katelyn) Pearce and Camieo Pearce

Funeral services will be held at Skjeberg Lutheran Church on Saturday, November 22 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held at the church for one hour before the service. Interment will be in Stephen City Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to Skjeberg Lutheran Church or the Halma Cemetery.

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