Ilese E. (Kahle) Murray

            Ilese Elizabeth Kahle Murray age 97 of Cambridge, MN formerly of East St. Paul, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2020 at Chris Jensen Health Center, Duluth, MN.

            Ilese was born on March 11, 1923 to Roy and Katherine (nee Westphal) Kahle in Le Sueur, MN.  She was the sixth child born into a family of twelve children.  At the age of two, Ilese was stricken by the crippling polio virus.  Due to continued treatment at Gillette Hospital she was raised by her Aunt Lottie and Uncle Joseph Elmquist.  After high school, she pursued art school and her working career as a commercial artist with Brown & Bigelow.

            On April 11, 1947, she married William J. Murray Jr., and made their home on the Eastside of St. Paul.  Throughout her life, she was active in camping, canoeing, sewing, cross-country skiing, art and crafts.  She dearly loved her brothers and sisters, her family, the lake cabin, campfires and hot dog roasts.

            Ilese had a close and special bond with Women’s AGLOW ministries, her church and friends.

            She is survived by children Suzanne Murray White, William (Sharon) Murray III, and Patricia Murray; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; son-in-law Les Kemp, sister Shirley Fries, sister-in-law Lucille Kahle and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

            She was preceded in death by her parents, husband William Murray Jr. of 73 years, daughter Judy L. Murray Kemp;  seven brothers and four sisters.

  A Memorial Service will be held on October 10, 2020 at 11:30 AM at First Baptist Church in Cambridge with visitation at the church one hour prior to the service.  A private interment was held on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at Oakland Cemetery in St. Paul.

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