Joan M. Murray

Joan Marie Murray, 89, passed away peacefully in her sleep Nov 13, 2023, in Rochester MN.

Joan Marie Murray was born on July 4, 1934 in Froid, Montana and grew up on a farm near Fingal, North Dakota.  Upon the death of her mother in 1945 the family moved to Casselton North Dakota. Joan graduated from Casselton High School in 1952 and then attended the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota. She graduated from The College of St. Scholastica in 1956 with a BS degree in nursing. After graduation she worked as a hospital nurse in Duluth, Saint Cloud, and Minneapolis Minnesota as well Ann Arbor, Michigan and Seattle, Washington.

In 1968 Joan joined the Army Nurse Corps with the rank of Captain. She served in Fort Carson, Colorado; ChChi, Vietnam and the 12th Evacuation hospital; Fort Lewis, Washington; Okinawa, Japan; Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort McClellan, Alabama; Fort Gordon, Georgia.  While in the service she was awarded the National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars; Vietnam Campaign Medal; 2 Over Seas Bars; and the Army Commendation Medal.  Joan left the Army in 1974 and enrolled in the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta.  In 1976 she graduated from the Medical College of Georgia with a BS degree in Medical Record Administration.  She then worked for the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Georgia.  In 1980 she accepted employment at the Veteran Administration Hospital in Biloxi, Mississippi where she was employed until her retirement in 1994.

In 2002 Joan moved to Rochester, Minnesota to be closer to family. Her hobbies and interests in her earlier years were playing bridge, working for the church, loved cats, enjoyed puzzles, crossword puzzles, baking, desserts, gardening, flowers, and she became a big Minnesota Twins fan. She resided in memory care, however, for the last several years.

She is preceded in death by her parents Mary Langer Murray and Ervin Fredrick Murray, her stepmom Bessie Murray, brother Jack Murray, sister-in-law Audrey Murray. She is survived by brother Justin (Janet) Murray of Rochester, MN and brother Jim Murray of Pueblo, Colorado plus many nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Heartfelt gratitude and thanks goes out to all those who have provided Joan with wonderful compassionate care, especially Shorewood Senior Campus staff, Comfort Care staff, Mayo Palliative Homebound program providers and Mayo Hospice. A sincere thank you from her family.

Family will have a private burial ceremony in Casselton, ND, date yet to be determined.

Memories and condolences of Joan may be shared at rochestercremationservicesmn.com