5/21/2003
Donald T. Murr, son of Thomas H. and Maymie Lehman Murr, was born September 18,
1912, at Gosport, and died May 21, 2003, at the Osceola Nursing and Rehab Center.
He was 90.
He attended the Gosport School 6d graduated from Knoxville High School, where he
lettered in track. He later completed his Normal Training for teaching requirements
and also attended Drake University.
He married Margaret Pluma Martin on March 20, 1937 in Unionville, Mo. The couple
had two sons, Tommy and Dennis.
Mr. Murr and his wife taught at country schools in Marion and Warren Counties, including
Sandyville, Summerset and Wick for several years. The couple farmed near Columbia,
Ia., then moved to the Me!cher-Dallas area, where they lived for many years before
returning to Columbia in 1971.
A farmer, Mr. Murr enjoyed planting and harvesting crops, gardening, and feeding
cattle and hogs. He loved animals and faithfully attend ed the Iowa State Fair.
He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Ruth Muff; infant granddaughter,
Joy Pluma MUTT, and infant great-granddaughter, Sophy Marie Murr.
Mr. Murr is survived by his wife, Pluma, a resident of the Osceola Nursing and Rehab
Center; two sons, Tommy MUTT and his wife, Anne Murr, of Osceola and Dennis Murr
and his wife, Margaret Murr of Dallas, Ia.; six grandchildren, Jodi Martin and her
husband, Leonard Martin of Osceola, JoLee Mateer and her husband Theron Mateer of
Melcher, Marte Kennedy and her husband, Stephen Kennedy of Lewisville, Tex., Michelle
Coolidge of Tewksbury, Mass., David Murr of Plymouth, Minn., and Paul Muff of Waterloo;
and a brother, Edd Muff of Columbia.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held May 24 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Melcher-Dallas
with Father Mark Spring officiating.
Michelle Coolidge performed a piano piece by the composer Rachmaninov.
Casket bearers were Paul Muff, Leonard Martin, Theron Mateer, John Pierce, Carl
Duinink and Jim Beary. Interment was in the Sacred Heart Cemetery at Melcher-Dallas.
Pierschbacher Funeral Home of Melcher-Dallas was in charge of arrangements