Murial Audrey (Krohn) Wherley

Murial departed life of this world the morning of March 22, 2024, with family at her side.  She has been gathered up into God’s everlasting care.  Murial had heart issues along with other ailments.  We praise God for her.

Murial was born in Big Falls, Wisconsin February 4, 1933, as the second of five children of Harvey and Sylvia (Lundt) Krohn.  She was baptized by Rev. W.E. Lange on March 19, 1933.  She spent her youth in Wisconsin striving through the challenges facing Americans during World War II.  She was confirmed at Peace LCMS in Antigo, Wisconsin on March 30, 1947, by Rev. Arthur Fergin.  After working briefly as a babysitter in Wisconsin, she headed west to California to work in a shoe factory, pick potatoes and pack airplane parts.

While in California she met her future husband, Alfred Wherley at a roller rink on April 15, 1954.  They were married March 26, 1955 at Peace LCMS in Antigo, Wisconsin, with Rev. Arthur Fergin presiding.  While in California, they had their first child, Dave.  In 1959, they moved to Umatilla County, Oregon, where Al continued his career in construction.  They got acquainted with many outdoor activities including fishing, hunting and blackberry picking.  Sturgeon fishing was a great adventure; Al and Murial asserted, “the sturgeon is the best”.  Murial was skilled in providing for her family by growing large gardens and preserving the bounties of their harvests.  In the 1960s they were blessed with three more children and were members of Bethlehem LCMS in Hermiston, Oregon.

They moved to Starkey, Oregon in 1969, fixing up their weekend hunting cabin to be their home.  Murial enjoyed cooking on her wood stove and the heat it provided.  The family enjoyed the life of hunting, fishing, gathering firewood, berries and especially mushrooms; Murial earned the nickname “eagle-eye” from her husband, Al.  Murial was persistent with involvement at Faith LCMS, receiving God’s grace and serving where she could.

Murial is preceded by her brothers (Arlin, Orville and Ronald), her husband Al, and daughter Nancy.  She is survived by her sister Angeline, sons, Dave & Wayne (Satauri), daughter Gloria, son-in-law Jerry Yancey, 11 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Faith Lutheran Church (for enhancement of Faith’s ministries) 104 S. 12th St., La Grande, OR  97850