McMurray, Blanch K.

Blanch K. McMurray, 86, of Tama, died Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, at Sunny Hill Care Center in Tama under the care of Iowa Hospice. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 13, at 11 a.m. at Living Faith United Methodist Church in Tama with Pastor Jerry Avise-Rouse officiating. Interment will be at a future date at Oak Hill Cemetery in Tama. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.

Blanch was born June 21, 1923, in Des Moines, Iowa, the daughter of Asa Aaron and Blanch (Quinlan) Ray. She graduated from East High School in Des Moines. On June 21, 1944, she was united in marriage to John A. McMurray in Tama. Blanch was previously employed at the Juvenile Home as a teacher's aid. She then worked at the Tama County Sheriff's Office as a radio operator, a court bailiff, and retired from the County Clerk's Office.

Blanch was a member of Living Faith United Methodist Church in Tama, where she was an active member of the UMW. She was also a member of the Tama American Legion Auxiliary, where she was past president, and the Oak Hill Cemetery Association. Blanch enjoyed playing cards and games with family and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, John A. in 1998; an infant daughter, Traci; and one sister, Kathleen Elliot.

Survivors include four daughters, Katherine (David) Steffen of Ankeny, Janet (Jim) Quigley of Liberty, Mo., Jacquolyn (Greg Flaherty) McMurray of Naalehu, Hawaii, and Jo Ann (Frank) Eaton of Nepean, Ontario, Canada; three sons, John (Jeanne Lessor) McMurray of Mason City, Kenneth (Sheryl) McMurray of Tama and Todd (Robin) McMurray of Litchfield Park, Ariz.; 10 grandchildren, Kedra (Clay) Schattinger, Brooke (John) Williams, Jill Quigley, Neal (Rachel) Flaherty, Cass (Matt) Smith, Heather and Jonathan Eaton, Sean (Casey) McMurray, Shea McMurray and Chelsey McMurray; and six great-grandchildren, Steffen, Barrett and Cade Schattinger, Quinn and Delaney McMurray, and Noelle Williams.

Memorials may be directed to Living Faith United Methodist Church or Iowa Hospice.