Dorthy (Swenson) Murray of Sturgis, SD, went to heaven on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Sturgis Monument Hospice surrounded by her children. A memorial and celebration of life will be held at Believers Fellowship (across from Sturgis Brewery) at 1:00 on Saturday, April 20, 2024.

Dorthy and Darleen (twin sister) were born in Meade County, South Dakota, on August 25, 1932, to Albert and Victoria (Karrels). Upon completing school in Sturgis, she married Raymond Murray and had six children. After a brief time in Hot Springs, they moved to the farm outside of Vale, and later to Sturgis. She spent some time in Wyoming, working as a nanny, then worked as a cook at Teen Challenge in Sundance before settling back in Sturgis. She had many adventures in her life in which she learned talents she used her whole life.  Even at 91, it was not unusual to see Dorthy canning or baking wheat bread.

As twin sisters, Dorthy and Darleen were inseparable. If they were not together, they stayed together by frequently talking on the phone. Dorthy loved to spend time with her family playing card games -- cribbage was her favorite. She played her last game of cribbage with her family on Thursday night. If you knew Dorthy, you would see her thrift shopping not only in the secondhand stores, but also at the grocery stores. She refused to dress like an "old lady" and always accessorized with a brooch, no matter what outfit or occasion.

Survivors include her five children, Douglas (Armine) Murray, Dickinson, ND; Jack Murray, Casper, WY; Jill (Bill) Netterberg, Sturgis, SD; Joseph Murray, Phoenix, AZ; Neil Murray, Sturgis, SD; sisters, Viola Yirka and Darleen Huddleston; sister-in-law, Carol Swenson; brothers, Roger (Barbara) Swenson and John (Barbara) Swenson; grandchildren, Julia (Jamie) Hermann, Steven (Missy) Netterberg, and Jodie (Ronald) Handran; and eight great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Sheryl Murray; brothers, Alan and Levern; and her parents.

A memorial has been established to Sturgis Kiwanis Food Pantry.

Special thanks to the caregivers at hospice for their compassion and the wonderful care given to our mother.

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