Sara Louise Murray, 93, passed away Wednesday, March 27, 2013, at Belle Fourche Regional Healthcare Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 1, 2013, at the First United Methodist Church in Sturgis with Pastor Jenene Earl officiating. Burial will follow at Bear Butte Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Kinkade Funeral Chapel on Sunday March 31, 2013, from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. with family present from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Sara was born February 29, 1920, to August and Elizabeth Efland at their home in Fairburn, SD. She lived there eighteen years before moving to Black Hawk with her father and brother after her mother's death. She met Earl Murray while working at the Sturgis Hatchery and they were married on May 29, 1943. They spent the next 37 years living and working on a farm east of Sturgis where they raised their two daughters. In 1980, Earl and Sara retired from dairy farming and built a new home in Sturgis where they both enjoyed their retirement years. Sara took up the hobby of china painting at that time and became very accomplished at the craft. She also enjoyed writing and completed a book on her life story - many friends and family have enjoyed her book as well as her beautiful china paintings. Sara spent many years visiting residents at the Sturgis Nursing Home and it became a nightly ritual for her to walk down the street from her home to visit residents there. Earl passed away in 1998 and Sara continued to live in their home until 2010 when she moved to an assisted living facility in Spearfish.

Sara is survived by daughters, Linda Bergan, Blaine, MN, and Laurel (Tom) Cornelius, Parker, CO; grandchildren, Scott (Deanne) Cornelius, Littleton, CO, Todd Bergan, St. Paul, MN, Shane Bergan, Brooklyn Park, MN, Sean (Joy) Cornelius, Parker, CO, Kara (Mike) Rios, Edina, MN, and Krista (Chad) Jelinek, Littleton, CO; and seven great-grandchildren.

Sara was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Arthur; husband, Earl; grandson, Derek Bergan; and great-grandson, Lawson Rios.

Sara was dearly loved by those that met her and her beautiful smile and sparkling eyes will be remembered and missed by many.

Those wishing to make a donation in honor of Sara are welcome to donate to the Alzheimer's Association, where a memorial has been established in her name, or to the charity of one's choice.

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