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Paul Matthew Murray, lifelong farmer, died Monday, Aug. 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, Aug. 17, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be inSt. Mary's Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors. Visitation will be held Friday, Aug. 16, from 4:30-7 p.m. with Rosary at 6:40 p.m. and Prayer Service at 7 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. Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
Paul was born Sept. 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, Knights of Columbus, Experimental Aircraft Association and the VFW of Alta.
Paul is survived by his wife Martha of Storm Lake; children: John (Edean) Murray of Storm Lake; Kathy (Mike) Hoefing of Des Moines; Gary (Rachel) Murray of Grafton, Mass.; Jan (Tom) Acquaviva of Sudbury, Mass.; and Patricia Murray (Eric Kuo) of Denver, Colo.; 13 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 sister-in-law Jane Murray of Sioux Falls, S.D.
Paul was 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.
