"Frank and I are so sorry for your loss. Leo sounds like a wonderful Dad, teacher, community volunteer and parishioner--just like you and your family, Jim and Lisa! Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Kathleen and Frank Van Steenhuyse, Vinton"
In loving memory of
Leo J. Murray
July 4, 1939 - May 11, 2020
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Kossuth County Cancer Support Foundation, Hospice of the Heartland or Iowa Special Olympics.
A private family Funeral Mass will be live streamed at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 15, 2020, at St. Cecelia Catholic Church on the Five Saints Catholic Community YouTube page. www.youtube.com/user/stceceliaalgona. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Leo James Murray was born on the family, now Century Farm, in Galva, Iowa on July 4, 1939, to Francis "Frank" and Opama (Weiss) Murray. He was the youngest of four children and lived on the family farm until graduation from high school. Leo was active in the local 4-H club during his teen years.
After graduation from Galva High School in 1956, Leo served four years in the US Air Force as a mechanic, stationed at Topeka, KS, and Lincoln, NE. After his service he was employed by Sac County Soil Conservation Agency and met and married Janice "Jan" Carstens from Holstein, Iowa.
After their marriage, Leo, Jan, and their daughter Patricia moved to Wayne, NE where Leo attended Wayne State Teacher's College, and under their trimester system graduated in 1966. Over the years, Leo initially taught Industrial Arts at Manilla, Iowa (1966-1968) and Marcus, Iowa (1968-1970). While teaching in Marcus, Leo enrolled in college courses for teaching special education. Leo and his family then moved to Lake City, Iowa where he taught High School Special Education until 1977. In 1977 Leo and his family moved to Algona, Iowa where he taught elementary special education at Bertha Godfrey and later Lucia Wallace Elementary School until his retirement in 1999. Leo also spent many summers in Lake City and Algona teaching driver's education.
Leo was an active supporter of Iowa's Special Olympics Program throughout his teaching career. In addition to teaching, Leo was an avid woodworker and loved fishing. He was a long-time member of Algona's "Chip off the Old Block" woodworking club, the Algona Kiwanis Club, and St. Cecelia's Catholic Church.
Leo died Monday, May 11, 2020, at the Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona. He was 80.
Left to cherish Leo's memory is his wife of 57 years, Janice of Algona; children, Patricia (Dave Leck) of Edmond, OK and their daughters, Alayna and Jolee, Michelle of Edmond, OK, Jim (Lisa White) of Vinton, Iowa and their children, Lucas, Logan, and Lauren, and Jon of Algona. Leo is also survived by his loving sister Peggy Kalin (Holstein, Iowa), and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Keith and Sylvia Carstens (Holstein, Iowa).
Leo was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Opama, brother, Donald, Sister and brother-in-law Eleanor and Henry Sokolowski, brother-in-law Ralph Kalin, and infant baby girl Murray (1968).
Tributes
"Jan and family, I am so very sorry for your loss. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers. Brenda & Donny Simmons and family. "
"What a wonderful teacher and person he was. My condolences to the family."
"Jan, so sorry for your loss! You are In our thoughts and prayers!"
"Jan, you and your family have my deepest sympathies. Kathy"
"Jan and family, No matter how long we didn?t see each other, we always picked up where we left the last time. Leo was an incredible friend. He was a remarkable teacher. Several of his former drivers ed students remarked on Facebook on how patient he always was with him. May your faith carry you in these difficult days. Pam & Merle"
"He was my special education teacher at Bertha Godfrey and was a very special person "
"Great guy and teacher! RIP!"
"Joe and I always enjoyed our conversations with him (and Jan) when we brought him Communion. So glad we had the opportunity to meet him. Always such a positive attitude!"
"To Leo\'s Wife, Jon and the rest of yhe family I am sorry for your loss and am praying for you. My favorite memory of Leo was during summer Drivers Ed. We got to drive in a 4 wheel drive car. I looked at him and said this is great you get to teach us how to drive off road. He looked at me and said \" I think not. Get in the back seat.\" Leo will be greatly missed. "
"I worked with Leo for many years at Lucia Wallace and Loren was in the woodworking club with him. We both have many memories of this great guy. See you again some day in Heaven Leo. Hugs to the family. "
"I am so sorry to hear about your dad, Michelle! I hope all of the memories you have of him will bring peace to your heart! Sending prayers and sympathy to you and your family!
Kelly (Mondragon) Carlton and family"
"Leo was a favorite of both Bing and mine. He had such a warm smile and always was interested in our lives. I am so sorry, Jan. You and your family are in my prayers. Molly MacDonald"
"Jan, Jim, Jon, Trish, Michelle and families~ You all have our deepest condolences. Leo was a faith-filled man, a talented woodworker, a good fisherman and a wonderful family man. such a kind soul. Godspeed to Leo. + In sympathy, Molly and Cory Buscher & sons"