Marilyn Murray, 87, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Brookestone Acres in Columbus.
The funeral service will be Thursday at 10:30 AM, at the First United
Methodist Church in Columbus with Rev. Cindi Stewart officiating.
Interment will be in the Columbus Cemetery. Visitation will be on
Wednesday from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue
Thursday from 9:30 AM until service time at the church. There will be a
family prayer service at 10:15 AM on Thursday at the church.
In lieu
of flowers, memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church,
Columbus Public Library, or the Columbus Community Hospital Foundation.
Her family and friends extend their thanks to the caring staff at
Brookestone Acres, the hospice team from Columbus Community Hospital and
to Rev. Cindi Stewart for her ministry.
Marilyn was born February 1, 1936, in Abilene, Kansas, to James and
Grace (Goodnight) Seaton. She graduated from Abilene High School and
worked as the church secretary at a United Methodist Church in Salina,
Kansas, before moving to Columbus.
Marilyn was united in marriage to Francis Arthur “Bud” Murray in
Columbus on September 5, 1971. Marilyn retired from B-D Manufacturing in
1971. She and Bud made their home in Columbus at the house Marilyn
loved. Following Bud’s retirement from BD Manufacturing, they spent
part of the winter in Destin, Florida, and began to travel, including
trips to Alaska.
Marilyn was a long time member of First United Methodist Church, served
as president of United Methodist Women and was an active member of the
morning circle. She was a former member of Beta Sigma Phi, Crafty Capers
Extension Club, GFWC Columbus Women’s Club, and the Elks Country Club
Women’s Golf Association.
Marilyn also loved volunteering for the Red Cross Bloodmobile for more
than nineteen years, the Platte Valley Sheltered Workshop, the Columbus
Area United Way, and the American Cancer Society. She was a recipient
of the United Way “Volunteer of the Year” award. Marilyn served on
Columbus Community Hospital Foundation Board from 2015 to 2021, where
she was instrumental in the success of its annual golf outing.
Marilyn was a skilled bridge player who played in three bridge clubs
which she helped to establish and maintain. She taught a number of
friends to play and enjoy the game, as well. Marilyn’s hobbies and
pastimes included gardening, sewing, needlework, reading mystery novels,
playing golf, and fishing in Minnesota with her husband and brother and
sister-in –law.
In her later years, Marilyn became an international traveler and
particularly loved to see the world from the deck of a cruise ship. She
visited China, Great Britain, France, Scandinavia, Australia, Venice,
Israel, Greece, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Her last cruise was a
four and half month cruise exploring the southern hemisphere. On these
cruises, Marilyn developed friendships with people from around the world
including London and Australia, with whom she stayed in contact by
email.
Marilyn is survived by:
Sister-in-law - Joan Seaton of Wichita, KS
Nephew - Alan (Karen) Seaton of Overland Park, KS
Nephew - Reed (Annika) Seaton of Austin, TX
Sister-in-law - Faye Wheeler of O’Neill, NE
Brother-in-law – Clifford Pittack of Tilden, NE
Great-nieces & nephews, and many friends
Marilyn is preceded in death by:
Parents - James and Grace Seaton
Husband - Francis Arthur “Bud” Murray
Brother - Glen Seaton
Sister-in-law - Marjorie (Richard) Hovey
Sister-in-law - Lois Murray
Sister-in-law - Betty Pittack
Sister-in-law - Etta (Dick) Grider
Brother-in-law – Jerry Wheeler