7/24/2004
A Mass of Christian Burial for Margaret Pluma (Martin) Murr, 88, who died July 24, 2004 at the Osceola Nursing and Rehab Center, was held July 27 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Melcher-Dallas.
Rev. Mark Spring officiated at the services. Music was provided by Michelle Coolidge, pianist, and Anne Murr, soloist Interment at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Melcher-Dallas. Casketbearers were Paul Murr, Leonard Martin, Theron Mateer, Sam Goff, John Pierce, Carl Duinink, and Jim Beary.
Murr was born on Jan. 21, 1916, in Marion County, the daughter of Charles A. and Mary M. Marini.
She grew up in the Red Rock area near Knoxville and graduated from Knoxville High School.
She married Don Murr on March 20,1937, in Unionville, Mo. They became the parents of two sons, Tommy and Dennis.
Murr and her husband taught at country schools in Marion and Warren Counties, including Sandyville, Summerset, and south of Prairie City for several years. The couple farmed near Columbia, then moved to
the Melcher-Dallas area where they lived for many years before returning to Columbia in 1971.
Murr had a flair for writing and her columns "Under the Sycamore" and "Twin
Oaks", written under the pen name "Dawn Martin", appeared frequently in the Marion
County News and several other newspapers in southern Iowa.
She enjoyed baking and cooking and was known for her bread and pies. She helped cook for many church dinners, community events, and church camps. She had a love for dogs and had owned several small house dogs that liked to sit on her lap.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two brothers, Idris Martin and Frank Martin; a sister, Reda Van Zante; infant granddaughter, Joy Pluma Mum infant great-granddaughter, Sophy
Marie Murr; and infant great-grandson, Landen Donovan Mateer.
She is survived by two sons, Tommy Murr and his wife, Anne Murr of Osceola and Dennis Murr and his
wife, Margaret Murr of Dallas; six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Arrangements were made by Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Melcher-Dallas.