Douglas D. Murray

Douglas (Doug) D. Murray, 84 of Tomah and formerly of Kendall passed away on December 30, 2025, at The Serenity House in Tomah, surrounded by his loving family. He was born June 3, 1941, in Hillsboro to Ethel (Kyes) and Hugh Thomas Murray Sr. He was a member of the Kendall High School graduating class of 1959.
Doug was united in marriage to Yvonne E. Schwengels in Clinton, WI on August 24, 1968. After 51 years of marriage and many adventures together Yvonne passed away on September 16, 2019.
After finding work at the Kendall Feed Mill for a time, he decided to try his hand at farming when he and Yvonne bought a farm not too far from Kendall. After farming for a brief period, he got an offer to try his hand at sales and was hired by Hartje Lumber out of LaValle, WI as a Salesman. Sales for Hartje Lumber is where he found his niche in life and worked for them until his retirement. That was his perfect job as he could use his love of people and gift of gab to the fullest! Yvonne and Doug also ran the Hike-N-Bike Restaurant in Elroy for a brief period as well.
Doug and Yvonne lived on the Kendall farm until they moved to Tomah. Anyone that knows Doug remembers he could be seen most nights and weekends each summer mowing his expansive yard to perfection on his trusty John Deere mowers!
Doug found love again after Yvonne's passing and on October 17, 2020, he married Ruth (O'Rourke) Ambort/Raiten, and they enjoyed over 5 years together.
Doug was an avid Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packer fan, and he could be found talking sports while eating breakfast many mornings around the local cafes. He had an infectious laugh and enjoyed telling many a story to anyone that would listen!
He was a faithful member of the St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Mauston for many years. The last few years he was a faithful member of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Tomah.
Doug is survived by his wife Ruth of Tomah, brothers-in-law Jerry (Karen) Schwengels of Fond du Lac, Robert (Carol) Schwengels of Janesville, Gordon (Lois) O'Rourke of Sparta, sisters-in-law Eileen Murray of Watertown, Alice Leis-Murray of Wilton, Kathryn (Allen) Batten of Camp Douglas, Ruby (Duane) Granger of Oakdale, many nieces and nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.
Doug was preceded in death by his first wife Yvonne, parents Ethel and Hugh Murray Sr., two brothers Hugh (Bugs) Murray Jr. and David Murray, two sisters Oka Wilcox and Jane Corn, an infant sister, brothers-in-law Robert Wilcox and Lyle Corn and sisters-in-law Donnaphee Murray and Eugenia Murray.
Ruth would like to give The Tomah Ambulance Department, Gundersen Health Systems and The Serenity House special thanks for their help and care during Doug's recent health issues.
A Funeral service will be held on Monday, January 5, 2026, 11:00 AM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Tomah. Pastor Rogness will officiate. Burial will be in the Glendale Cemetery, Kendall. Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Sunday from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the church and on Monday at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be given to the family and donations will be distributed at a later date.
Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences can be offered by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com