David Murray

David Murray, age 65 of Mahnomen, Minnesota, died on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at his home. David was born at the White Earth Hospital on March 15, 1943 the son of Fred and Madeline (Roy) Murray. He was raised near Roy Lake east of Mahnomen, MN. He attended grade school in Naytahwaush, MN and later Mahnomen High School. On January 12, 1961 Dave entered the United States Air Force. He was assigned to the 1969 Communication Squadron and was stationed in England. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force on August 27, 1964. David then attended Heavy Equipment School in Juliet, Ill. He was employed for the City of Minneapolis as an equipment operator and later worked as a heavy equipment operator in road construction throughout Minnesota and North Dakota. On November 11, 1975 David was united in marriage to Donna Jean Headbird in Bagley, Minnesota. From 1983 until 1992 Dave was an instructor at Leech Lake Satellite Program in Staples, MN, where he taught heavy equipment operation. He worked for on a pipe line crew out of Brooks, MN for a few years and for Gordon Construction of Mahnomen until his retirement in 2001. They made their home in Naytahwaush, MN until just recently when they moved into Mahnomen. David will be remembered for his ability to fix anything, whether it was plumbing, mechanical or electrical. He was an avid outdoorsman, did beadwork and could often be found visiting casino’s in North Dakota and Minnesota. David loved spending time with and spoiling his grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He also was a singer for the Cass Lake Ojibwa and White Earth Ojibwa singers. He was the commander of the White Earth Veterans Association Honor Guard, a member of the Isaacson-Bjorge Post #131 of the American Legion in Mahnomen and the Post #284 of the American Legion of Cass Lake. He was also a member of the Teacher’s Union. David is survived by his wife Donna of Mahnomen; three daughters: Nancy “Sam” (Robert) Greene, and Marilyn Rose (Melvin) Brunner, both of Minneapolis, MN and Toni Sue (Frank) Bowstring of Cass Lake, MN; three sons: Sheldon (Terri) Quaderer of Minneapolis, MN, Dale (Shirley) Greene of Malmo, MN and John (Lori ) Raisch III of Laporte, MN; one brother, Benjamin (Delores) Azure of Mahnomen, MN; two sisters, Beverly Foster of Mahnomen, MN and Minnie (Collins) Oakgrove of Red Lake MN; and one sister-in-law, Mina Azure of Tocoma, WA; his mother-in-law, Susan Headbird, Cass Lake, MN: as well as 25 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother and father; three brothers: Robert, Donald and Fred; four sisters: Marilyn, Philomene, Freida and Muriel; brother-in-law Mike Masten Sr.; and his father in-law, James Headbird. Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 Noon on Monday, December 1, 2008 at the Naytahwaush Sports Complex in Naytahwaush, MN. Visitation will begin at 3PM on Saturday, November 29, 2008 at the Sports Complex and continued until the funeral service on Monday. Pastor Doyle Turner will officiate with the Turner family providing music. His pallbearers will be Bill Masten, Mike Masten, Jr,, Melvin Brunner, Tully Wark, Brian Otto, James Headbird, James Johnson, Tom Oakgrove and Timothy Oakgrove. The Honorary Pallbearers will be the White Earth Honor Guard, Leech Lake Honor Guard, Red Lake Honor Guard and the Minnesota Patriot Honor Guard. Military rites will be provided by the White Earth Honor Guard, Leech Lake Honor Guard, Red Lake Honor Guard and the Minnesota Patriot Honor Guard. Interment will be in the Samuel Memorial Cemetery, Naytahwaush, MN.

David Murray

March 15, 1943 - November 26, 2008