Paul Murray

Paul Matthew Murray, lifelong farmer, died Monday, August 12, 2024, at his home in Storm Lake with family by his side. He struggled with pancreatic cancer since December 2023. Funeral Mass will take place Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors. Visitation will be held Friday, August 16, 2024 from 4:30-7:00 p.m. with Rosary at 6:40 p.m. and Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m., all at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Memorials can be directed to the “F.R.E.D. Legacy Fund” within the St. Mary’s Foundation. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Paul was born September 12, 1934, to W. Clair Murray and Mary Othilda Kestel. He grew up on the family farm and attended St. Mary’s School, graduating in 1953. Paul joined the U.S. Army and served in the Occupational Forces of Korea from January 1955 to December 1956. He met Martha Ann Becker at The Cobblestone. They had their first date on New Year’s Eve 1962. She was looking for a Catholic farmer and he fit the bill. A year later, on New Year’s Eve 1963, they were married. They had five children, John, Kathy, Gary, Jan and Patricia. Paul was a faithful Catholic, baptized, confirmed and married at St. Mary’s. Throughout his life, Paul enjoyed flying, golfing, fishing, playing pool and cards. In retirement, he and Martha wintered at Wagon City South in Mission, Texas, and in the spring, they returned to Iowa. He cultivated many different circles of friends. Following the lead of brothers Joe, Bill, Fr. Gene and Fr. Ed, Paul earned his pilot’s license in 1991. After his kids were grown, Martha conceded to Paul owning and flying a Cessna 172. He later restored a certified Piper Cub and built from scratch an experimental Piper Super Cub, both trademark yellow. Flying those planes, Paul enjoyed weekend fly-in breakfasts across Northwest Iowa. Paul was a member of St. Mary’s Parish, the Knights of Columbus, the Experimental Aircraft Association and the VFW of Alta, Iowa. Paul is survived by his wife Martha, Storm Lake; children: John (Edean) Murray, Storm Lake; Kathy (Mike) Hoefing, Des Moines; Gary (Rachel) Murray, Grafton, MA; Jan (Tom) Acquaviva, Sudbury, MA; and Patricia Murray (Eric Kuo), Denver, CO; and thirteen grandchildren: Georgia Murray, Amelia Murray, Andrea (Joel) Smith, Cale Murray, Wyatt Murray, Alex Acquaviva, Simon Hoefing, Grace Murray, Isabelle Acquaviva, Aiden Kuo, Ronin Kuo, Avery Acquaviva and Emerson Acquaviva. Paul is also survived by his brother, Rev. Eugene Murray of Marcus and his sister-in-law, Jane Murray, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Paul is preceded in death by his parents, Clair and Mary Murray, and siblings, Mary (Edward) Motz, Joseph (Lila) Murray, Kathleen (B.D. “Cody”) McKenna, William Murray, Raymond (Donna) Murray, Maurita (George) Leahy, and Rev. Edward Murray.

Paul Murray

September 12, 1934 - August 12, 2024