Dana Lynn Murry

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Dana was born on June 15, 1963, in Wells, MN to Byron and Norma Goodrich. She was raised on the family farm along with her brothers and sister in rural Easton, MN. She attended 1st through 8th grade at Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Easton. She graduated from Delavan High School in 1981, having been active in sports, music, and theatre during her time there.

Dana attended Rochester Community College, graduating with a degree in Nursing. She worked for several years as an RN at the hospital in Blue Earth. After moving to Mankato in 1988, she worked part-time as a nurse, first at Mankato House before moving on to the St. Peter Health Care Center where she worked in the Alzheimer’s Unit. When her kids got a little older, she went to work full-time as a charge nurse on the night shift at the St. Peter Regional Treatment Center. She took immense pride in the work she did there and the friends she made among the other nurses and guard staff. Due to health issues, Dana was forced to retire before she was ready. She genuinely loved nursing and continued to be the go-to medical reference for her children, grandchildren, and friends.

Dana was united in marriage to Rich Murry at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Easton on November 9, 1985, in a raging blizzard. They had just recently celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary.

Dana’s greatest legacy would be that of a caring, nurturing mother to her daughters, Lindsey, MacKenzie, and Shelby. She worked part-time during their early years so that she could be there for them. The girls were heavily involved in dance and Dana was the ultimate dance mom, always ready with whatever was needed. This carried over into their other endeavors as well, including numerous school projects which often included late night runs to Walmart for supplies. She also took several of her daughters' friends under her wing, providing support and guidance.

Her daughters provided her with the ultimate gift, eight beautiful grandchildren. They were the absolute center of Dana’s life. She worshipped them and loved every minute she spent with them.

Dana was the definition of compassion and care. She was selfless and would do anything for anybody that was in need. She did not do it for rewards or glory, but because it was her nature and the right thing to do. One example of this occurred in 1998. Dana found out there was a family in need of some childcare assistance due to a health care issue. She volunteered to assist, which resulted in twin 9-month-olds, along with their four-year-old sister moving in with the Murrys for several months. She was later recognized for her efforts by receiving the KEYC Jefferson Good People Award.

Dana Lynn Murry, age 61, died unexpectantly on January 1, 2025, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato.

Dana is survived by her loving husband, Rich, of Mankato; children, Lindsey (Andrew) Northenscold, MacKenzie (Jon) Kearney, and Shelby (Colin) McKissick, all of Mankato; grandchildren, Will, Sully and Beckett Northenscold, Laine and Wes Kearney, and Maeve, Theo and Sloane McKissick; brother, Sheldon (Sharla) Goodrich; brother and sister-in-law, Grant and Mary Gallaher; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, brother and sister-in-laws. 

She was preceded in death by her sister, Sheila; niece, Ashley; brother, Brandon; parents, Byron and Norma; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bill and Maryce Murry; sister-in-law, Judy Hauer; brother-in-law, Jerry Hauer; and brother-in-law, Michael Murry.

There are no words to describe what a monumental loss this is. She meant so much to so many people.

Visitation will be held from 2-5pm, Sunday, January 5, 2025, at Northview-North Mankato Mortuary. Funeral Mass will be 11am, Monday, January 6, 2025, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato with visitation one hour prior. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Delavan. Please share a memory of Dana, view her video tribute, and watch her service livestreamed at www.mankatomortuary.com

The family prefers memorials be directed to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato or Greater Mankato Area United Way.

The live stream link below is a complimentary service provided by Northview-North Mankato Mortuary. Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.