Marie C Murdoch

Funeral Services for Marie C. Murdoch will be conducted from the First Baptist Church in Oxford, Nebraska on Monday, June 9, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Brian Jenkins, Rev. Stan Murdoch, and Chaplain Daren Popple officiating. Interment will be held in the Oxford Cemetery following the services.

Marie Cornelia (Daum) Murdoch, 90, of Holdrege (formerly of Oxford) passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2014 at the Holdrege Memorial Homes. Marie was born on December 27, 1923 in Jones County near Murdo, South Dakota, the eldest of eleven children born to Nicholas and Elizabeth (Hoekman) Daum. She grew up on a farm on the prairie near Murdo. Her father died at an early age, so her mother and siblings had to work hard to maintain the family farm. Marie often shared a tragic event that involved her 4 year old brother who drowned in a flash flood. Marie attended high school in Okaton, South Dakota. She then pursued a higher education through the Nurses Cadet Corp program that was offered during WWII receiving her Registered Nurse (RN) from St. Mary's Hospital School of Nursing in Pierre, South Dakota.

While working at St. Mary's Hospital, she met Floyd Murdoch, who was a patient there. Because of the severity of Floyd's illness and his lengthy recovery, Marie was often attributed to "nursing Floyd back to health". The couple were married on May 15, 1948.

After their marriage, Floyd and Marie moved to the Carter community located midway between Oxford and Orleans, Nebraska. Their small house was converted from a barracks that had been moved from the Prisoner of War Camp at Atlanta, Nebraska. In 1950, they moved to a farm south of Edison, and then a couple years later they moved to a farm south of Holdrege. She helped on the family farm and worked as a nurse at the Brewster Hospital in Holdrege. In 1959, they returned to the Carter community, living in the home, where Floyd had grown up.

In addition to tending to their 5 children, Marie drove trucks, fed many farm hands, and helped wherever needed on the family farm. She occasionally worked part time in the Oxford Hospital and belonged to some women's groups, including the Carter Cheer Extension Club. She was very active in the Oxford First Baptist Church, where she served on various boards and committees and taught Sunday school for many years.

Marie had a strong faith. Even though she had been raised in a Christian environment and lived a Christian life, she felt compelled to be baptized in her late 60's. Floyd and Marie had a passion for supporting local and foreign missions and often hosted visiting missionaries in their home.

In 1973, they built a home in Oxford, but still maintained their farming efforts. After failing health in 2008, Floyd and Marie moved to Holdrege Memorial Homes. Floyd passed away in 2009. When her health permitted, Marie continued to attend church and various functions in Oxford so she could continue to see her friends and worship in her home church.

Besides her parents and husband, Floyd, she was preceded in death by: a grandson; a great-granddaughter; and five brothers: Edward, Peter, Samuel, John, & Nicholas J. Daum.

Marie is survived by her five children: Carolyn Lueking and her husband, Jerry of Oxford; Rev. Stan Murdoch and his wife, Pam of Kearney, Nebraska; Shirley Smith and her husband, Dr. Thomas Smith of Holdrege; Duane Murdoch and his wife, Cheryl and Marlin Murdoch and his wife Polly all of Orleans, Nebraska; 14 grandchildren: Laurie Nelson and her husband, David of Holdrege; Patricia Weatherwax and her husband, David of Oxford; Dr. Phillip Lueking and his wife, Andrea of Holdrege; Dr. Nate Murdoch and his wife, Tiffany of Rochester, Minnesota; Emily Jacobs and her husband, Dr. Kellen of Norton, Kansas; Dr. Mark Smith and his wife, Nikki and Dr. Brad Smith and his wife, Ashlie all of Rochester, Rashelle Smith and her fiancée, Andrew Hoffman of Omaha, Nebraska; Jarod Murdoch and his fiancé, Angela Dawson of Parker, Colorado; Josh Murdoch and his wife, Charice of Holdrege; Jessica Murdoch of Lakewood, Colorado; Mallory Murdoch and her fiancée, Joe Haas of Omaha; Jacque Murdoch and Camry Murdoch both of Orleans; 16 Great-Grandchildren; two brothers: Nick Daum Jr. and his wife, Patricia of Dix, Nebraska; Dick Daum and his wife, Judy of Murdo; three sisters: Elizabeth Sloas and her husband, William of Memphis, Tennessee; Joanne Shelton and her husband, William of Papillion, Nebraska; Katie Miller of Leawood, Kansas; sisters-in-law: Evelyn Daum of Murdo; Jane Daum of Okaton, South Dakota; Rose Daum of Rapid City, South Dakota; Maxine Reed of Holdrege; Cleo Purdy and her husband, Ozzie of Mission Viejo, California; brothers-in-law: Paul Murdoch and his wife, Ardyce of Carpenter, Wyoming; Dale Murdoch and his wife, Betty of Holdrege; and a host of nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

She will be remembered and cherished for her strong faith, sweet spirit, helping hands, and compassionate heart.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 8, 2014 from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford.

A memorial has been established in Marie's honor and is kindly suggested to the First Baptist Church of Oxford or Holdrege Memorial Homes.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford is in charge of the arrangements.