Ida Murray
Ida Mae Murray, age 89, died March 2, 2020, at Manor of the Plains in Dodge City, Kansas. She was born Feb. 25, 1931, to Guy Leslie and Ida Idella (Thompson) Watkins of Brewster, Kansas.
Ida was the youngest of nine children, and probably the most ornery. She was closest in age and heart to Lucille and Glen growing up on the farm but truly loved all of her family. She would continue to cherish her family throughout her life, making time with them important.
Ida’s young life was difficult after graduating from eighth grade. She endured failed marriages, the loss of her children in 1954 due to hardship of raising them on her own, and the loss of their father. The adoption of her children was something that wore heavy on her heart for most of her life.
In 1963, while waiting tables in Denver, she met a tall, strapping man by the name of Melvin. A conversation turned into a date on the dance floor on a Saturday night. Dance nights continued every Saturday after their marriage on May 2 of the same year. Melvin brought her back to farm life that she didn’t even realize she missed. Thus began the life that is cherished in the hearts of her grandchildren, growing up on the farm.
Later in their marriage, Ida and Melvin loved to travel all over the United States, collecting bells and salt and pepper shakers from their travels. Albums full of their adventures speak volumes of those moments in time.
Whether she was working in the field or in the kitchen, she always had to have her nails done and looking pretty. It was important to her to always look her best, even with her fingers hooking a fish. She was a country girl with a splash of city. Her quick wit would often catch people off guard, but they would soon warm to the amazing smile she would flash their way. That sense of humor lives on in many of her grandchildren, who grew up with so many laughs on the farm. She was strict when needed but always fair — gentle and loving except when she knew you were being a “faka-booga,” then she simply didn’t put up with it.
In 1973, after 19 long years, Sherry, Jerry and Betty found their mother, and Ida’s life started to feel complete. The weight of all those years slowly started to dissipate. She finally had her family. As grandchildren started to show up, her heart swelled bigger than she could ever imagine. When Tommie, the baby, came back into her life, it expanded even more. Melvin embraced every single one of them with his whole heart. The farm would never be the same, with little kids running around, getting into the pig pen and various other off-limit places. But they loved every minute of it.
Life still had its struggles for the next 47 years, but she never gave up. If family had to choose one word to describe Ida, “strong” would probably be the most popular, followed by “independent.” Despite everything life threw at her, she remained strong. She loved big, she fought big for what she believed in — she was just bigger than life, bigger than her small frame.
COPD and various other injuries never stopped her from enjoying her life and spending time with family. She was going to keep going until she literally couldn’t anymore. No one could ever tell her that she couldn’t do something. That stubbornness lasted until her final breath. When there was only one hour left, she said, “I don’t think so,” and stayed with her family for five more hours. She was surrounded by family who poured out their hearts to her, trying to give back, if even a little, a portion of the love she gave all of them.
Ida is survived by her two daughters, Betty Snodgrass of Dodge City and Sherry Stanislowski and husband Jean of Pocatello, Idaho; two sons, Jerry Tolley of Chubbuck, Idaho, and Doug “Tommie” Thomas; 10 grandchildren, Gerald “Jerry” Lynn Tolley, Jason David Tolley, Joy Danielle Jenkins, Elizabeth “Lisa” Ann Thomas, Kirsten Rhea Kristl, Josh Thomas and Jodie Tackett, Summer Lyn and Michael Bates, Jason Alan and Melanie Snodgrass, David James and Kelley Snodgrass, and David Patrick and Nikki Stanislowski; 26 great-grandchildren, Ryder Cash Tolley and Jaxson Lynn Tolley, Shania Danielle Jenkins, Mariah Lynn Jenkins and Mia Renee Jenkins, Llewiyn Adam Eugene Elliot and Brie Dee-Ann Elaine Elliot, Hannah Lee Hammond, Kacey Lynn Turner, Ryan Renae Anaya, Jakob Mathew Kristl and Corie Lee Riggle, Skylar Caleb Thomas, Caleb Thomas and Sage Thomas, Gracie Lynn Bates and Mava Rose Bates, Mason Alan Snodgrass, Jenson Murray Snodgrass and Parker Shay Snodgrass, Brodie Heisman Snodgrass and Tegan LouAnn Snodgrass, and Dylan Presley Stanislowski, Bentley Gage Stanislowski, Brecklyn Mae Stanislowski and Xavion Harding Stanislowski; and five great-great-grandchildren, Rhealynn Marie Anaya, Novalee Turner, Jackson Phillip, Matthew James Patrick Dengler and Ava Kathleeen Dengler. This is the legacy she leaves behind.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin; parents, Guy and Ida; four brothers, Leslie, Merle, Ray and Glen; and four sisters, Ethel, Mildred, Dottie and Lucille.
The funeral service was held March 14 at Baucke Funeral Home, with Jeremiah Krieger presiding. Burial followed at Holyoke Cemetery.
Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.