Betty A. Murdock, 87, left her frail body on Earth to walk with the Lord in Heaven on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. She was greeted by her parents, Clarence Lemke and Viola Lemke Braatz, to whom she was born on July 1, 1931.
Betty married Kent Murdock at the age of 20 (because she didn’t want to be a teenage bride). They enjoyed 67 years together. Betty was a devoted wife and mother; she raised five children, served on church committees and cooked gourmet, organic meals from fish and game procured by Kent, and fresh garden produce because it was necessary, not because it was healthy. The caveat to these health conscious meals was that they were always planned around a freshly baked dessert. She enjoyed planting flowers in the spring and celebrating Christmas Eve by making an elaborate spread of hors d’oeuvres for family and friends. She endured numerous hunting seasons with a house strewn with hunting clothes and boots, yet she kept the hunters fed with her crocks and roasters full of fantastic fare. If anyone knows the end to her favorite knock knock joke, which she could never complete because she’d giggle too hard to tell it, please let her children know! She proudly displayed her spoon collection which she garnered from some of her own travels, but mostly received as gifts from friends and family. She was happy when they shared their adventures with her. She asked for little and gave of herself daily.
Thanks to numerous sacrifices made over the past 10 years by her son, Tom, Betty was able to remain in her home while her physical strength and cognitive capacity waned. Tom reassured her numerous times in the middle of the night, fluffed her pillows and tucked in blankets. He took her to countless appointments, and baked her cookies so she’d have dessert with every meal, and sometimes even breakfast. Special thanks for the love and care she also received from Anna, Macie, Airiel, Jayne and Dawn.
Betty is survived by her loving husband, Kent; five children, Randy Murdock, Todd (Lesli Krueger) Murdock, Jodie (Richard Olson) Thompson, Tom Murdock and Nancy (Greg) Curtis; eight grandchildren, Josh (Renza) Thompson, Ryan Murdock, Dustin (Andrea) Murdock, Heather Thompson, Trevor (Jennifer) Murdock, Mitzie (Frank) Klozotsky, Luke Curtis and Alexa Curtis; 13 great-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren, Payten, Jorden and Teagen Thompson, Richard, Reef and Morgan Anthony, Jakob and Jordan Murdock, Lucas and Max Murdock, Lillien Murdock, Carter and Molly Klozotsky; and a brother-in-law, Don Murdock.
She was preceded in death by her parents; great-granddaughter, Emma Murdock; and in-laws Elvira, Larry and Janet Murdock.
A memorial service for Betty will be held on Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, at 1 p.m. at Mickelson Funeral Service in Shawano. Charles Daily will officiate. The family will greet friends at the funeral home from noon until the hour of service.
Mickelson Funeral and Cremation Service of Shawano is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences at www.mickelsonfs.com.