Janice “Jan” Lee McMurray

Janice “Jan” Lee McMurray

Marion

A mere four days after her husband, Ken, entered eternal life, Janice “Jan” Lee McMurray, 85, of Marion, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In agreement with her wishes, cremation has taken place. A joint visitation for both Ken and Jan will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion. A joint celebration of their lives will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at First Presbyterian Church, located at 802 12th St., in Marion. A joint inurnment with Military Rites for Ken will follow at Oak Shade Cemetery in Marion.

Jan was born on April 24, 1937, in Orange City, Iowa, the daughter of John Arie and Jennie Francis (Vander Zwaag) Bomgaars. She was a 1954 graduate of Sioux Center High School and later graduated from Northwestern Junior College, in Orange City, in 1956. On Aug. 21, 1956, Jan was united in marriage to Kenneth “Ken” McMurray in Orange City. In 1974, she graduated from Mount Mercy College. Jan was employed as an elementary school teacher for several years at schools in Akron, Iowa, and Alta, Iowa. For 24 years, she enjoyed being a Kindergarten Teacher at Wilkins Elementary School, within the Linn-Mar School District in Marion, until her retirement. Jan was recognized as the “LMEA Educator of the Year” from 1987 to 1988. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Marion. She was a devoted Christian whose strong faith fortified her throughout her life.

Jan enjoyed playing Bridge, writing, traveling with her husband and, most of all, spending time with her grandchildren. During retirement, Jan and Ken were passionate servant leaders with many organizations around the country. She was an avid planner of many family trips and adventures fostering deeply rooted family relationships. She was a tireless cheerleader for her grandchildren’s many athletic, academic and musical pursuits. It was her true joy to share her life with her beloved husband of 66 years. Jan will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Jan is survived and lovingly remembered by her two children, Bruce (Maureen) McMurray of New Lenox, Illi., 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, Carol (Dallas) Apol of Sioux Center, Iowa, Paula (John) Amick of Sunnyvale, Calif., and Colleen Bomgaars of Sioux Center; three sisters-in-law, 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.; and many dear nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Jennie Bomgaars; husband, Ken McMurray, on Oct. 25, 2022; son, Kirk McMurray; one brother, David Bomgaars; one brother-in-law, Wallace Groeneweg; one sister, Linda Easlick, and one sister-in-law, Marceline “Marcy” McMurray.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jan’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 Jan at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.