Lola Jean Murray

Lola Murray died peacefully in Redwood City, California on Sunday, November 5, 2023, at the age of 83. Lola Jean Earl was born at home in Tremonton, Utah on April 3, 1940. The youngest of five children born to Albert Davis Earl and Agnes Mifflin Earl, she graduated from Bear River High School in May 1958. On December 27, 1958, she married Arnold Edwards Murray and they were together for nearly 24 years. When Arnold joined the US Navy, Lola moved to Alameda, California. Following his discharge, they lived in Logan, Utah until Arnold graduated from college and they moved to Arden Hills, Minnesota in 1969. In addition to caring for her family, Lola worked in administration at Dayton Hudson Corporation, State Farm Insurance, and several other companies. She attended the College of St. Catherine’s part time and earned an Associate’s degree. Later in life, she became an avid square dancer, performing at the Minnesota State Fair and traveling across the country to attend conferences and other gatherings. Although she had been on the ski patrol in Utah, Lola found Minnesota’s “mountains” too small for her and made do with water skiing. Living across the street from Lake Josephine in Arden Hills, there were ample opportunities to boat and water ski. Lola invested in a wetsuit, so that she could water ski in the chilly Minnesota water starting in the spring. Lola enjoyed traveling and saw much of the United States, but her only travel beyond North America was to Athens, Greece for her exchange-student-daughter Lena’s wedding in 1994. Her children remember fondly the large batches of homemade bread she baked. It was not uncommon for one loaf to be devoured by her family fresh out of the oven. Her cinnamon rolls were legendary with both family and friends, and her spicy spaghetti was so beloved that Arnold once claimed that he could eat it every day for a week (and did!). There were few textile arts at which Lola wasn’t adept. A skilled sewist, she crafted numerous clothes for her children over the years, as well as attire for special occasions, elaborate square dance outfits, and even a full nun’s habit. She also knit, crocheted, embroidered, and quilted, and she taught those skills to her daughters. Lola was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was called to serve in a number of roles, including coach of her ward’s girls’ basketball, volleyball, and softball teams in the 1970s. In the shadow of Title IX, she was unable to convince church leaders to give girls trophies like the boys received, but she did achieve awarding girls medals. A big fan of Elvis Presley from her childhood, Lola made a pilgrimage to Graceland in the 1990s and even named one of her beloved Siamese cats in his honor. She also enjoyed Broadway musicals, Johnny Cash, and (not entirely surprisingly) The Kinks’ song “Lola.” As she was nearing her end, one of the things that brought her the greatest joy was looking at pictures of her great-grandchildren. It always brought a smile to her face (as did chocolate treats!). She is survived by her four children: Yvonne Murray (Kirk Gould), Valerie Hayes (Richard), Andrea Murray (Jay Jantzer), and Gene Murray (Ericka Erickson); four grandchildren: Rallie Murray (Glen Barrett), Ryan Hayes (Erin), Chelsea Constant (Nicholas), and Laura Mata (Johnny); and three great-grandchildren: Richard Broderick Hayes, Theodore Temple Constant, and August Bailey Constant. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Peninsula Humane Society (https://phs-spca.org/), in honor of Lola’s enduring devotion to animals, especially cats.

Lola Jean Murray

April 4, 1940 - November 5, 2023