Harold Murra
February 11, 1933 - January 24, 2013

Harold Murra, age 79 of Blue Earth, MN passed away on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at Oaklawn Healthcare Center in Mankato where he resided for 9 days receiving hospice care. He remained courageous and hopeful in his 3 year battle with a muscle wasting disease which caused a progressive decline in his activity levels and his overall health.
Memorial service will be 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 9, 2013 at Jacobsen & Winter Funeral Home in Blue Earth with Reverend Brent Walker officiating. A time for sharing memories of Harold will begin at 1:00 pm the day of the service.
Harold Murra was born February 11, 1933 to John Sr. and Katie(Winter) Murra at the family farm northwest of Thompson, IA. He grew up there and on the family homestead southwest of Buffalo Center, IA.
Harold received his education attending country school in Lincoln and Winnebago townships in rural Kossuth County, Ia., through completion of the 8th grade. He left school to work on the family farm until he was selected by his friends and neighbors to join the United States Army. He served his country from October 22, 1953 through October 6, 1955, including military assignments in Germany where he worked as a truck driver.
On May 23, 1954 Harold married Arline Prescher at First Lutheran Church in Waldorf, MN. Their union was blessed with two children.
Following his discharge from the US Army, Harold worked on construction of the large cement elevator in Buffalo Center in 1956, then at Creameries in Wells, MN and Estherville IA as a butter maker, cream and milk tester until 1966 when he moved his family to Blue Earth, MN where he would live the rest of his life. Harold worked at Schwens Ice Cream as an ice cream maker, at Gerring Industries/Holly Park as a cabinet maker and supervisor, at Winnebago Manufacturing as an Industrial Painter, and at Seneca Foods and Green View as a custodian. He also enjoyed assisting local farmers with field work. He retired from his position at Green View in 2010, because of his muscle disease.
Harold enjoyed family time and gatherings with his immediate and extended family, as well as his garden and growing flowers. His favorite activity of all was enjoying coffee and informational sessions at the local “house of knowledge”, aka, Mc Donalds. He looked forward to his visits with the coffee gang there daily.
Harold will be greatly missed by his wife, Arline Murra of Blue Earth; his children Glen Murra and wife Jennifer of Elmore, MN, and Gwen Henricksen and her husband Terry of North Mankato, MN. Grandaughter, Dr. MacKenzie Pellin and her husband Brian of Madison, WI ; 5 Grandcats; 6 Granddogs; and 4 Great Granddogs. Harold is also survived by 3 sisters: Lydia Lovik of Forest city, IA; Clara Swalve of Princeton, IL ; Mildred Stromer, and her husband Byron, of Garner, IA ; 2 brothers: Willis Murra of Buffalo Center, IA; and Cecil Murra and his wife Virgie Ann of Albert Lea, Mn; Brother in law Arlen Prescher and his wife Jean, of Albert Lea, MN; Sisters in law Bernice Murra of Blue Earth, Mary Murra and Ruth Murra, both of Buffalo Center, IA, as well as many nieces, nephews; other relatives, and friends.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents, parents in law, Arlo and Adeline Prescher; 3 brothers: Donald, John Jr., and Raymond, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends.

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