Mrs. R. J. Murdoch Dead.

It was a sad piece of news that was passed about town last Friday morning that Mrs. Murdoch had passed away at the Methodist hospital in Omaha at 1 o’clock that morning, following an operation by Dr. Jonas on Thursday morning.

As was noted in these columns last week her condition had puzzled her husband and Dr. Bridges for some time, but an X-ray photograph revealed some sort of a growth back of the stomach, which they thought might be cancerous. When the incision was made they found it to be a growth on the pancreas that was also attached to the stomach, and it became necessary to remove a large part of that organ.

The doctors saw her condition was very critical but she came out of the anesthetic and there was a chance for recovery. She was conscious and told her husband along about 10 o’clock to go to bed that she was all right. She became worse at about midnight and death came suddenly at 1 o’clock.

The body was brought up on the afternoon train Saturday and the funeral was held at the family residence at 2:30 Sunday afternoon. Her pastor, Rev. J. M. Kokjer, conducted the service in the presence of a large number of sorrowing friends. Rev. J. M. Lewis made a short talk, he having lived next door to the Murdochs and had become very intimate with them. The funeral sermon was given by Rev. C. N. Dawson, pastor of the Dietz Memorial Methodist church, in Omaha, who had officiated at the marriage service of Dr. and Mrs. Murdoch about eighteen years ago.

The pallbearers were Chas. Ross and S. W. Chambers, of this city, J. A. Linderholm, Paul Petersen and C. W. Dimmick, of Omaha, and M. A. Sams, of Fremont.

Lelah Bess Bonine was born at DeSoto, Ia., Feb. 12th, 1880, and moved to Omaha with her parents when but seven years of age. She grew to womanhood and was there married to Dr. R. J. Murdoch June 15th, 1898. They located at Petersburg, Neb., where three children were born to them, Helen, whose death occurred Sept. 11th, 1900, Evelyn, now past 14, and Lewis, 10 years of age. They moved to this city in 1905, which has been their home ever since.

As Miss Bonine she united with the Methodist church in Omaha when 14 years of age and after settling in Petersburg she, with her husband, united with the Congregational church. Mrs. Murdoch was always active in church work, was president of the Ladies’ Social Union for some years and was an efficient worker in other lines as well. She reconsecrated her energies along this line at the tabernacle meetings held last winter but her health began to fail even before the meetings were over and she had been able to do but little since.

Besides her husband and children she leaves her parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Bonine, of Omaha, three sisters, Mrs. C. E. Allen, of Omaha, Mrs. S. A. Preston, of Fremont, and Miss Hazel, who lived at home. Also an only brother, Ray, who lived at Hepner, Oregon, the only one who was unable to be at the funeral service.

Mrs. Murdoch was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and a large delegation from McKinley chapter were at the depot Saturday when the body of their departed sister was brought up from Omaha.

The floral offerings were unusually large and beautiful, bespeaking the loving remembrance of many friends. The music was furnished by a mixed quartette composed of Misses Geraldine Kemp and Mary Cook, George Maynard and D. C. VanDeusen.

The following from out of town were in attendance at the funeral: Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Bonine, Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Allen, Miss Hazel Bonine, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Peterson, Mrs. W. F. Niesmann, Miss Marie Niesmann, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Linderholm, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Adams, Mr. W. A. Milek, Mrs. R. W. Whited, Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Dimmick, all of Omaha. Dr. and Mrs. S. A. Preston and children, Mrs. John McDonald, Miss Helen McDonald, Mr. and Mrs. M. A. Sams, all of Fremont. Mr. J. H. Nieman, Clay Center, Nebr., Mrs. George Madison, Emerson, Nebr.

At the conclusion of the obituary notice Rev. J. M. Kokjer read the following original lines:

We may not know Why sorrow comes to blight The paths of love, We cannot see With eyes of mortal sight The home above: But this we know, By faith in things untold, Of love divine, That all is well With our immortal soul In his confine.

Enterprise 26 May 1916

Mrs. R. J. Murdoch

The brief announcement of the death of Mrs. R. J. Murdoch, published in the last issue of The Enterprise, saddened the hearts of all of the acquaintances of that estimable lady. Mr. Murdoch was universally loved by her associates and her demise had the same effect upon the hearts of the many who knew her excellent qualities of head and heart as the death of a near and dear relative would have.

The remains were brought from Omaha to the family home in this city on Saturday afternoon and the funeral services was held at the house on Sunday at 2:30 p.m., the funeral sermon being preached by Rev. C. N. Dawson, of Omaha, who officiated at her marriage in that city seventeen years ago. Rev. J. W. Lewis, the pastor of the Blair Methodist church, next door neighbor and intimate friend of the family, and Rev. J. M. Kokjer, pastor of the Congregational church assisted in the funeral service.

The husband and two children, a daughter, Evelyn, 14 years of age and a son, Lewis, aged 10 are left bereft of the love, affection and companionship of wife and mother.

Deceased was born in Iowa in 1880, coming to Omaha with her parents at the age of seven years where she was reared and educated.

Tribune 24 May 1916

Mrs. Murdoch Dies At An Omaha Hospital

Lelah Bess Bonine was born Feb. 12, 1880 at DeSoto, Iowa and with her parents moved to Omaha, Nebraska at the age of seven years.

When about fourteen years of age she united with the M.E. church of that city and there also married Dr. R. J. Murdoch, the bonds being solemnized by Rev. Dawson, June 15, 1898.

Full of energy for life’s work they settled at Petersburg, Nebraska and lived there until coming to Blair in 1905, when Dr. Murdoch bought the business and good will of Dr. Robinson and has since that time been a practicing physician at this place.

To this union three children were born, Helen, the oldest, who died at Petersburg, Sept. 11, 1900; Evelyn, now past fourteen and Lewis now ten years of age.

Mrs. Murdoch was a woman of a social nature and had many warm friends who sympathize deeply with the family over their loss. She was always ready to say a good word or to assist the needy in any way in her power and was a good mother and wife.

Mrs. Murdoch had been ailing for some time, having had what was supposed to be a nervous breakdown following the tabernacle meetings held in this city last fall and in which she took an active part. Since that time she has never been her normal self and finally about four weeks ago was taken to the M. E. hospital in Omaha for treatment and on last Friday morning following a surgical operation she passed away.

The funeral services were held at the family residence in this city on last Sunday afternoon, the services being conducted by Rev. Dawson, of Omaha, the same minister who performed the marriage ceremony, assisted by Rev. Kokjer of the Congregational church and Rev. Lewis of the Methodist church, both of this city.

A large number of friends, both from this city and out of town were present to show their last respects to her who had gone before and a large concourse followed the body to its last resting place in the Blair cemetery.

Published in Blair Democrat on 25 May 1916

MRS. R.J. MURCOCH DIES IN M.E. HOSPITAL, OMAHA

At one o'clock last Friday Mrs. R.J. Murdoch of this city died in the Methodist hospital in Omaha. Death followed an operation.

Mrs. Murdoch's condition had puzzled her husband and Dr. Bridges for some time, but an X-Ray photograph revealed a sort of a growth back of the stomach, which they thought might be cancerous. When the incision was made they found it to be a growth on the pancreas that was also attached to the stomach, and it became necessary to remove a large part of that organ. The doctors saw that her condition was very critical but she came out from under the anesthetic and there was a chance for recovery. She was conscious and told her husband along about 10 o'clock to go to bed that she was all right. She became worse about midnight and death came suddenly at one o'clock.

Lelah Bess Bonine was born at Desoto, Iowa, February 12, 1880, and moved to Omaha with her parents when but seven years of age. She grew to womanhood and was there married to Dr. R.J. Murdoch on June 15, 1898. They located at Petersburg, Ne. Three children were born to Dr. and Mrs. Murdoch; Helen, whose death occurred Sept. 11., 1900, Evelyn, now past 14, and Lewis, 10 years of age. They moved to this city in 1905.

Besides her husband and children she leaves her parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. L. Bonine of Omaha, three sisters, Mrs. C.E. Allen of Omaha, Mrs. S.A. Preston of Fremont and Miss Hazel who lives at home. Also a brother, Ray, who lives at Hepner, Oregon, the only member of the family unable to attend the funeral.

The body was brought to Blair, Saturday afternoon where it was met at the depot by members of the Eastern Star, of which the deceased had been a member. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 at the residence. Rev. C.M. Dawson, of the Dietz Memorial Church of Omaha, preached the funeral sermon, assisted by Rev. Kokjer of the Congregational and Rev. Lewis of the Methodist churches of Blair. The body was laid to rest in the Blair cemetery.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~