Audrey J. (Lundquist) Murray

Audrey J. (Lundquist) Murray, age 85, of Monticello, MN, passed away peacefully, with family at her side, on Thursday, January 16, 2025, after a week’s stay in the hospital.

Audrey was born on April 16, 1939, and lived nearly her entire life in the Monticello/Silver Creek area after growing up on a farm west of Monticello. She was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in the spring of 1953. She graduated from Monticello High School in 1957, where she met Dave, the love of her life. They were united in marriage at Trinity Lutheran Church in Monticello on July 13, 1958. Together, they raised a family and became an integral part of the Monticello community.

She chose to stay home and care for her three young children, doing her best to meet their every need. She began working as a para/secretary in the office at Pinewood Elementary School in Monticello after the children were school-aged. She spent almost 30 years assisting both students and teachers, and there, she made it her mission to look out for each one of them. She was very intuitive, and therefore, she had a knack for noticing and meeting the needs of others, frequently before anyone else even realized there was a need in the first place.

Over the years, Audrey and Dave lived in numerous houses near Monticello. In 1986, they moved to a home on Lake Ida, just west of Monticello. There, they enjoyed sunrises over the lake from the porch, listening to the calls of the loons, and entertaining family and other guests with pontoon rides and fresh fish for supper. They treasured life together on the lake for more than twenty years before moving to a home in town that was easier to maintain.

They were both extremely active in their home church, Trinity Lutheran in Monticello, supporting and volunteering in countless ways. For decades, they were well known for preparing and serving coffee and donuts every Sunday between services, greeting each person with a warm smile. More recently, they took great pride in helping assemble several hundred wooden toys each year for Operation Christmas Child. Audrey kept a careful count and ensured everyone was updated on how many had been prepared.

Spending time with Dave, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, her beloved dog, Peanut, and other family members brought her great joy. She took advantage of every opportunity and found every possible reason to gather together.

Audrey was a provider and a servant by nature. Anyone who stopped by to visit them was sure to be offered something to eat. Dessert would have already been prepared and offered before most of the guests had finished their meals.

One of the things she loved to do most was play card games around the dining room table or in the camper on camping trips with friends and family. Her wide smile and infectious laugh always indicated that she had a good hand, so everyone knew ahead of time she was about to win.

She was surrounded by her family at every moment over her final week, so she was never alone. We were gifted with multiple opportunities of full consciousness to express our gratitude and love for her, and she was able to reciprocate that with us. We are comforted by her strong faith and the knowledge that she is now in heaven, already united with loved ones, and waiting for the rest of us. Certainly, she is already making sure everyone is cared for. Dessert is already prepared, and the cards are waiting on the table.

We want to thank everyone who has reached out with support during this difficult time. A special thank you to the Gorecki Guest House, across from the St. Cloud Hospital, for providing a comfortable, peaceful place to gather as a family, eat, and rest while still being near Mom. Also, to the incredible, compassionate care we received from her nurses at St. Cloud Hospital. Lexie and MJ, your expert care and compassion for Mom and our family were above and beyond what we ever could have expected, and for that, we will forever be grateful.

Audrey was preceded in death by her parents, Rudolph and Mabel (Bruce) Lundquist; her siblings, Charles Lundquist, Junior Lundquist, Luverne Peterson, Darlene Sawatzke, and Lloyd Lundquist. She is survived by her husband, Dave Murray; her children, Amy Murray, Tod Murray (Kim), and Jon Murray (Lucy); her sibling, Lorraine Forar; her grandchildren, Derek Murray (Kayla), Danielle Murray (Leo), Maria and David Murray; and two great-grandchildren, Henry and June Murray.

All services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 449 West Broadway, Monticello, Minnesota. There will be visitations on Friday, January 24, from 5-8 PM and Saturday, January 25, from 10-11 AM. The funeral will begin at 11 AM on Saturday, January 25, with a luncheon to follow. Trinity Lutheran Church will make this service available for online viewership.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Audrey's name directly to Trinity Lutheran Church’s - Basement Fund (Noah’s Ark), 449 W. Broadway Street, Monticello MN 55309.