Mary A. Murray

Mary Murray, age 96, of Detroit Lakes, MN, formerly of Waubun, MN, died Saturday, November 12, 2011 at Essentia Health-Oak Crossing in Detroit Lakes, MN. Mary Ann was born December 8, 1914 to Joseph and Anna (Benjamin) Bellanger at their home on Tulaby Lake. Growing up, she attended school at the White Earth Mission followed by boarding school in Wahpeton, ND. On January 10, 1941, Mary was united in marriage to Edward J. Murray. Over the years, she was employed as a factory worker in the cities, seamstress in Naytahwaush, MN, and also by Clearwater County as a home health aide, taking care of the elders. Most of Mary’s 96 years was spent on the White Earth Indian Reservation with only a few years total between Minneapolis, MN, Oregon and Michigan. Edward died in 1998 and Mary continued to live on her own until January of 2010 when she moved into Oak Crossing in Detroit Lakes. Nicknamed the “Road Runner”, Mary remained active until the last. She was always going somewhere to visit or play Bingo. She loved to play Bingo and Poker. Mary also enjoyed the outdoors and what it had to offer—berry picking, ricing, hunting and netting. She also spent time canning, baking bread, cooking, making sugar cakes and sewing. Mary was a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Naytahwaush, MN. Mary is survived by her sons, Leo, Waubun, and Dan (Judy) also of Waubun; daughters: Judy Toppings, White Earth, MN, Vera Murray and Grace Hagen, both of Minneapolis, MN; 13 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Mary was preceded in death by her parents; three siblings: William “Bill”, Emma and Philomene and most recently her daughter, Donna, on November 4, 2011. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at 11 am at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Naytahwaush, MN. Visitation will be held Monday, November 14th from 5-7 pm with a prayer service at 6:30 pm and continue one hour prior to Mass on Tuesday, all at St. Anne’s Catholic Church. Burial will be in the St. Anne’s Catholic Cemetery, Naytahwaush, MN.

Mary A. Murray

December 8, 1914 - November 12, 2011