Stevensville – Esther Christina Beier Murray was born on April 1, 1929 to Fred and Lydia Beier in Bentley, SD. She was the fourth of eight children. Esther went to live with the Lord on October 14, 2016.
Esther met and married the love of her life, William E. (Bill) Murray on February 14th, 1948, and they made their home in Missoula. They moved to the Three Mile area of Stevensville in 1959, where they raised their five children. Esther worked at the Missoula Laundry and at the State Nursery in Missoula, MT. Several saplings from the nursery grew in her yard alongside her children and grandchildren, who would pick up pine cones by the bucketful.
Esther loved her family and children, enjoying meals with family, watching old movies with grandkids, and having tea parties with great-granddaughters. She loved to visit with her sisters and brothers and to play games and work puzzles. She loved to bake and always had a ready snack to share with her company. She often baked cookies, breads, and doughnuts for neighbors and friends to let them know she was thinking of them. In the evening Esther sewed many doll clothes and lap blankets for orphanages, nursing homes, and mission organizations.
Working outside in her gardens and yard brought her great joy. She loved flowers, gardening, and puttering in her yard. At garage sales with her sisters, she would hunt for great deals on yard decor. Her house and yard were always decorated for the holidays. Since purple was her favorite color, she always wore at least a little bit of it (and sometimes she pulled out all the stops). She liked to laugh, especially at the jokes her great-grandchildren told her. To pass the time in the nursing home, she would sing all the songs she could remember to sing.
Though she will be deeply missed, her family is profoundly grateful for the love she showed us. The family would like to express our gratitude and sincere thanks to all of the staff at the Living Center. Their skilled nursing facility gave excellent, loving care to our dear mom.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bill Murray; daughter Patricia Rodrigues (Murray); and siblings Adeline Feldsman, Viola Strom, Walter Beier, Eldon Beier and Deloris Weston. She is survived by her children Mary Koenen (Carl), Stevensville, MT; Kathy Bronson (Pat), Meridian, ID; Bill Murray (Gillian), Billings, MT; and Michelle Kinsinger (Mel), Gillette, WY; as well as nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 22 at 3 p.m. at Community Baptist Church, 409 Buck Street. Stevensville. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Esther’s favorite charities: Stevensville Pantry Partners, 3614 ALC Way, Stevensville MT 59870 or Samaritan’s Purse. P.O. Box 3000, Boone NC. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.