Gertrude "Gert" V. (Honstad) Murra

Gertrude “Gert” V. (Honstad) Murra, 90, of Buffalo Center, passed away Saturday, July 18, 2015 at her home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday July 22, 2015 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 201 4^th St. NE, in Buffalo Center with Pastor Nathaniel Hedin-Schmidt and Pastor Debra Devine officiating.  Burial will be at Olena Mound Cemetery in Buffalo Center.

Visitation will be Tuesday July 21, 2015 from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Buffalo Center and continue one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.

Gertrude, the daughter of Norwegian immigrants, Lars and Marit (Ranes) Honstad, was born on March 29, 1925 in Rake, Iowa.  She attended and graduated from Rake High School in 1942.

Gert married Willie (Bill) Murra on September 8, 1943 in Junction City, Kansas while Bill was in the armed services.

Her most important role was always a housewife and mother. She also worked at the Elmore Grocery Store with Walter Mondale and at Wilson’s Super Valu.  She opened a quilting business in 1985 called the Quilting House.

Bill passed away in 1989 and Gert continued the quilting business on the family farm. She moved to town in November of 1994 but continued her passion, making over 3000 quilts.

Gert was baptized and confirmed member of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church.  She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in which she was treasurer for years.  She was also part of the Lincoln Friendly Neighbors, Literary Circle, Hope Circle and Weigh-In Club.

She enjoyed traveling to Norway with her sister, Lydia and her nieces and nephew in 1998.  She loved playing cards, sharing stories and pictures and having coffee with friends and family.  She especially enjoyed Sunday morning coffee at Grandma’s house after church.  Gert was always happiest surrounded by her family.

She is survived by her children: Diane (Vince) Geerts of Emmetsburg, Iowa, William “Butch” (Marilyn) Murra of Schaller, Iowa, Dennis (Dee) Murra, Douglas (Barbara) Murra both of Buffalo Center, Iowa and Debra (Steve) Duregger of Clear Lake, Iowa; grandchildren: Brian Geerts, Robin (Jeff) Jamison, Jennifer (Ryan) Villa, Brent (Michelle) Nissen, Tracy Murra, Cindy Murra (Sebastian Allard), Laura Murra, Sarah (Ron) Doland, Joshua (Dallas) Murra, Alicea (Andrew) Porter, Kiley Murra, Katie Murra, Stephanie Duregger; great-grandchildren: Jordan, Morgan, Jack, Caleb, Jaycob, Katelyn, Casey, Trinity, Daniel, Jayden, Cayleb, Joey and Norah; sisters: Mabel Johnson and Lydia Helleksen; sisters-in-law: Arlene Thorland, Grace Jurgens, Marian Farrow; brothers-in-law: Arnold (Burnette) Murra and DeWayne Hovey, and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents Lars and Mary Honstad; husband Willie; two grandsons Cory and Kevin Murra; sisters Rhoda, Marion and Luella; brothers Otis and Sam.