Howard J. Murray

Howard Jerome Murray was born August 12, 1928, in Lisbon, ND, to David and Grace (Malarkey) Murray. Howard was raised with one older brother (Milton) on the family farm and attended schools in that area for his education.

Howard immediately began his teaching career following graduation from high school with only 3 months of teacher training. Over the many years, Howard taught classes and served as Principal in several communities. He began in a rural school near Ypsilanti, ND, and ended his long and successful career as Elementary Principal at Probstfield School in Moorhead, MN, in 1994.

Howard met his future bride, Teresa Weniger, while they were both attending college in Valley City, ND. Howard and Teresa were united in marriage on May 31, 1958, at Wahpeton, ND. Over their 65 years of marriage, Howard and Teresa were blessed with and raised five children.

Howard taught in classrooms (11 years) in several communities including Eastedge, ND, Leonard, ND and Fargo, ND. He served as Principal (36 years) in Hawley, MN, and finally Moorhead, MN. Howard was a promoter of new ideas in the schools he served, emphasizing loyalty and courage. With those ideals in mind, many of the teachers he was privileged to serve alongside stayed on his staff for many years. While working as a Principal, Howard was also very involved in the Minnesota Reading Association as well as spending some time teaching off-campus classes for Moorhead State College.

After retiring in 1994, Howard enjoyed a variety of activities. He liked to travel, and he and Teresa were able to take many trips to various places around the world including Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Ireland, Norway, Finland, Russia, and Australia. They also had the opportunity to spend two weeks teaching English in China on one of their trips. Eventually, they tempered their travels to escape from the cold, Minnesota winters to Florida, Texas, or Arizona.

During the summer months, Howard enjoyed time at their cabin on Lake Ida with members of the extended family. Besides travelling, Howard enjoyed reading John Grisham novels. He also enjoyed getting together with his fellow retired teachers, having breakfast or lunch. Howard was also a communion distributor and usher at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Moorhead.

Howard died Sunday, January 14, 2024, at Eventide in Fargo, at ninety-five years of age.

He is survived by his wife of sixty-five years, Teresa; children, Bryan Murray (Diane Gulke), Kevin Murray, Alan Murray, Laura Murray, and Chad (Claudia) Murray; three grandchildren, Jeremy Murray, Dylan Murray, and Noah Murray.

In addition to his parents, Howard was preceded in death by his brother, Milton.

Visitation for Howard will be Wednesday, January 17, 2024, from 5 – 7 PM, with a prayer service at 7 PM, in Korsmo Funeral and Cremation Service, Moorhead. The Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, January 18, 2024, at 10:30 AM, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, Moorhead. Burial will take place that same day at 3 PM, in St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, Bluffton, MN.