Obituary of Donald E. Murtha

Donald E. Murtha, born June 14, 1928, grew up on the family farm in Erin Prairie, Wisconsin and attended a one-room country school grade 1-8. Don had a strong work ethic and a “you can do” attitude. He graduated from New Richmond High School in 1946 and wanted to be a teacher. After serving in the Korean War, earning a Bachelor’s degree at River Falls State University, and a Master’s degree at Macalester College, he embarked on a long, successful journey in the Minneapolis Public School System. He was a teacher at Tuttle and Hamilton, and a principal at Monroe, Seward, Armatage, and Hale Elementary School. As a teacher, Don taught assigned lessons in his classroom for professors from the College of Education, University of Minnesota. He was a strong advocate of teachers, parents and principal working together as a team. Don was “old-school” friendly, had a calm demeanor, was innovative and had a subtle sense of humor. He treated his students with respect and loving care. In his forty plus years in education, he influenced the lives of thousands of students and faculty. Don served a term as president of the Minneapolis Elementary Principal Association and was a member of the State Association. Preceded in death by: parents William J. and Ida Murtha, sisters Marlene and Valerie, and brother Warren. He married Darlene Anderson, a student nurse on August 27, 1955. Darlene, the love of his life, died in a car accident in 2012. They were married for 57 years and spent their time living in Minneapolis and summers at their cabin in Roy Lake. Both treasured the wonderful time spent at the lake with family and friends. Don was a good golfer, had two holes-in-one, and enjoyed fishing, his specialty was filleting and he loved fall pheasant hunting in South Dakota. He coached Little League Football for the Park Board and took pleasure in the time spent watching his sons and grandchildren participate in sporting events. He was a life member of the V.F.W, the Nisswa Gold Club, and the Nisswa American Legion. He liked playing poker with his principal friends. He was fond of country western music and playing the piano for his own enjoyment. Don’s greatest joy was his family. He was a devoted, caring and proud father of his three sons, Greg (Lynn), Michael, William (Kate) and daughter, Kathleen (Stuart Samsky). He loved his grandchildren dearly, Lydon (Natasha), Laci (Ben), Ashley (Matt), Marcus (Misty), Brett, Mackenzie, Frank and Dom and his great-grandchildren, Billy, Stella, Olivia, Liam, Ella, Brooklyn, and Liberty. He was a Christian and he met life’s challenges with a strong sense of faith, courage, and hard work. He never forgot where he came from. He often said, “Keep the faith and cherish life’s memories.” He will be sadly missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him. Mass of Christian Burial 11 am on Monday, February 11^th at All Saints Catholic Church, 19795 Holyoke Ave., Lakeville, MN. Visitation 10 am at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Parkinson’s Foundation.