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            Ilene J. Murray, 73, of Bloomington died on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at her residence in Bloomington.  She was born on April 21, 1938 in Monroe County the daughter of Joseph and Vietta (Virt) Sater.  She was a longtime homemaker, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to many.

            Ilene "Granny" Murray lived a life of love, kindness, gratitude for all living things and an acceptance that as human beings we make decisions and choices but those decisions and choices do not define the human being, those decisions and choices allow for growth, self-acceptance and gratitude for life.

            Granny held open her arms to not only her family but to the community that she lived in as well.  She spent countless hours counseling those she knew, accepted those who needed a home and used the experiences of her life to help others.  She was a proud member of Alcoholics Anonymous, looked for and took in injured and abandoned animals, caring for them until they were well enough to return to the wild or a new home.  Her gratitude for nature and the peace it brings was evident in her passion for fishing, camping and the simple life of country living.

            Family was the true love of her life.  Her survivors include her children; Rebecca Landstrom, Dean Gardner and Catherine Anne Harris, all of Bloomington and Elizabeth Jane Carroll of Cavalier, N.D., eleven grandchildren; Cc Chambers, Jamie Harris, Charlie Aubrey, Seth Gardner, Cory Nikirk, Moses Thacker, Jeremiah Thacker, Rebekah Thacker, Thomas Harris, Sarah Harris and Cody English, seventeen great grandchildren and two sisters; Janet Summers and Reba Carson, both of Bloomington.  Also surviving is extended family member Laura Clements and her children, Adam and Alexandra of Bloomington.

            She was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis Murray, her parents and three brothers, James Edward Sater, Horace Lee Sater and Ronald Joseph Sater.

            Funeral services will be at 1:00 P.M. Saturday at Allen Funeral Home, 4155 S. Old St. Rd. 37 in Bloomington.  Friends may call on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services.  Burial will be at Clear Creek Cemetery.

            Memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of Allen Funeral Home.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.allenfuneralhome.org