Wanda Murray

Wanda M. Murray, 82 of Rensselaer, lost her battle with pancreatic cancer Wednesday evening, Jan. 18, 2012. She was born in Paxton, IL on Sept. 22, 1929, daughter of the late Edgar Calvin and Lula Estille (Payne) List. She lived in Rensselaer most of her life.

Wanda graduated from Rensselaer High School with the class of 1947. On Oct. 14, 1951 in Rensselaer, she married John T. Murray, Jr. He preceded her in death on Sept. 4, 1992. Wanda was a homemaker and for many years worked part-time as a bookkeeper for Beaver News, Sears, and the Farm Bureau grain elevator. Wanda was a member of Bethany Evangelical Free Church. She was very active in the church where she participated in the Women’s Missionary Group, helped with the Awanas Club, and taught Sunday School for many years. Wanda enjoyed collecting Depression glass, cross-stitching, working crossword puzzles and spoiling her grandkids. God and her family were always a high priority in her life.

Wanda is survived by her daughter, Janet Fisher (husband: Tom) of Lafayette; son, Gerald “Gerry” Murray (wife: Heidi) of West Lafayette; daughter-in-law Leeann Murray of Noblesville; four sisters: Lovell Spurgeon of Rensselaer, Pat Alberts of Greenville, OH, Calla Gonzalez (husband: Diego) of Lafayette, and Kay Smith (husband: Larry) of Sarasota, FL; and a brother, Jack List (wife: Carita) of Brookston. Six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren also survive. She was preceded in death by: her parents; her husband John; her son Stephen Murray; two sisters: Stella Ramey and Nellie List, and a brother, Edgar Dallas List.

Friends may call on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. CST at Bethany Evangelical Free Church at 2100 E. Grace St. in Rensselaer. Wanda’s Celebration of Life Service will be at the church at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Frederick C. Nose officiating. Interment will follow at Memory Gardens of Rensselaer. Memorials are suggested to the Lafayette Christian School Building Fund, Bethany Evangelical Free Church of Rensselaer, or the American Cancer Society.