Kenneth “Ken” E. McMurray

Kenneth “Ken” E. McMurray

Marion

Kenneth “Ken” E. McMurray, 88, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022, at St. Luke’s Transitional Care Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In agreement with his wishes, cremation has taken place. Family will greet friends and family from 3 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion. A celebration of Ken’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022, at First Presbyterian Church, located at 802 12th St. in Marion. Burial with Military Rites will follow at Oak Shade Cemetery in Marion.

Ken was born on Feb. 7, 1934, in Rock Valley, Iowa, the son of Thomas Hoyt and Inez Margaret (DeGooyer) McMurray. From the age of 10, Ken was raised by his stepfather, Cyrus H. Heemstra. He graduated from Sioux Center Public High School and went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in Agronomy from South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D. Ken served honorably in the United States Navy Reserves, from 1954 to 1956. On Aug. 21, 1956, he was united in marriage to Janice Lee Bomgaars in Middleburg, Iowa. Ken was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Marion where he served as an Elder, Deacon, and a Sunday School Teacher. For 30 years, Ken worked in the banking industry at several banks, including First National Bank in Marion, where he worked on the Agricultural side of banking. He then went on to work for 10 years with investments at Edward D. Jones, until his retirement. Ken was a Boy Scout Leader for Troop 60 in Marion for many years. He loved history, traveling and explored many national parks in Montana, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Ken worked for a couple of summers at Glacier National Park in Montana, including taking on the role of Park Ranger for a summer. Together, Ken and Janice volunteered countless hours within the community and church with the NOMADS Group. His passion was spending time with his entire family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ken will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Ken is survived and lovingly remembered by his bride of 66 years, Janice McMurray of Marion; two children, Bruce (Maureen) McMurray of New Lenox, Ill., and Lisa (Lenny) Donnan of Coralville, Iowa; four grandchildren, Melissa (Ross) Timmermans and Meganne (Scott) McCubbin, both of Waverly, Iowa; and Connor (Gaby) McMurray and Rachel McMurray (Ray Devivo), both of New Lenox; three great-grandchildren, Isla and Ivy Timmermans and Andrew McCubbin; three sisters, Audrey (Glenn) Van Roekel of Iowa City, Iowa, Linda (Hector) Sanchez of the Republic of Panama, and Diane (Michael) O’Connor of Gig Harbor, Wash.; three sisters-in-law, Carol (Dallas) Apol of Sioux Center, Iowa, Paula (John) Amick of Sunnyvale, Calif., and Colleen Bomgaars of Sioux Center; and many dear nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Inez McMurray; stepfather, Cyrus H. Heemstra; son, Kirk McMurray; brother at infancy, Convulle McMurray; one sister, Marceline “Marcy” McMurray; two brothers-in-law, David Bomgaars and Wallace Groeneweg; and one sister-in-law, Linda Easlick.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ken’s memory may be directed to either the First Presbyterian Church, the American Red Cross, or to the American Heart Association.

Please share a memory of Ken at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.