HERMOSA - Mary Jane (Edwards) Murrey, 89, passed away peacefully at Rapid City Regional Hospital on Thursday, January 21, 2010.

Mary was born on December 9, 1920 in Brookings, South Dakota to Evan and Alice (Snowden) Edwards. She was one of two in her graduating class from Scenic High School. Right out of high school, Mary went to Spearfish Normal, which is now Black Hills State University, to receive her teaching certificate. Upon completion of her certification she taught in several rural South Dakota schools including Fairburn and Hermosa.

She was married to Samuel Murrey for 66 years in which many of those years were spent traveling the country. She took pride in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She attended every grandchilds high school graduation as well as many other activities that each grandchild participated in. She was a faithful member of St. Michaels Catholic Church in Hermosa as well as a supporter of the Hermosa Senior Citizen Center. Mary was also active in the town of Hermosa, serving on various committees.

Mary is survived by one son, Sammy (Anna) Murrey, Hermosa, and three daughters Madalynn (Wally) Lemaster, Eureka MT, Carolynn (Jere) Grove, Rapid City, Barbara (Ed) Braunger, Gold Canyon AZ, ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren, one brother John Edwards, two half-sisters, Nancy Krause and Kathy Liney, and three half-brothers Bill Edwards, Chuck Edwards, Mike Edwards.

She was preceeded in death by husband Sam Murrey, her parents and her two brothers, Bob and Evan.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. at the Kirk Funeral Home in Rapid City with Father William Zandri officiating. Burial will be at the Black Hills National Cemetery. A reception will follow the interment at the Hermosa Senior Center.

At the request of the family, memorials may be established in honor of Mary to the charity of the givers choosing.