Isabel Murray

May 10, 1926 – July 5, 2018

Isabel Murray, 92, passed away July 5, 2018 in Moses Lake, Wash. She was born at home in Brayton, Iowa on May 10, 1926, to Harry and Kathleen Miller. Isabel was delivered by her grandfather Dr. William Koob, and that began a very close relationship with “Gramp Koob.” They enjoyed many adventures together — the stories of which she loved to tell.

She met Edward Baier at a dance when she was 18. They soon married and had four children while farming in rural Iowa. In 1956 the family moved to Coulee City. It was there, at Dry Falls Café´, that her talent for cooking became known to everyone who stopped in. Isabel loved working at the restaurant and for 15 years customers could hear her whistling in the kitchen as she worked.

In 1974 she married Bill Murray and they moved to Wilson Creek, which was home for the rest of her life. The next 10 years were filled with love, laughter, and family. Following Bill’s death in 1984, Isabel was adopted as “Grams” by her granddaughters’ friends, and Gram’s house was filled with teens on many afternoons and before sporting events. She even chaperoned a senior trip. She also returned to cooking, working part-time at the tavern in town. It was there she met John Moore, with whom she spent the next 25 years.

Isabel loved to travel, having been bitten by the travel bug on a trip to California with her dad when she was 14. Through the years she saw much of the country — from Hawaii to Boston and many points between. She especially enjoyed trips to visit family in Iowa, and snowbirding with her sister in Arizona.

Isabel enjoyed working with her hands – she gardened, crocheted, cooked (the best apple pie), and sewed. One giant stuffed bear she made for her granddaughter turned into more than 200 — which were sold, gifted and donated. She also enjoyed playing Hand and Foot and cribbage. Anyone she played cribbage with learned quickly that a double-run is 8 — no need to count. She played Bunco every month with a wonderful group of ladies where it often got loud with laughter. And all who knew her knew reading was her passion. She was forever buying, borrowing and trading books.

Isabel is survived by her children Kathleen (Harry) Morley, John (Wendy) Baier, Mark (Margie) Baier and Matthew Baier; 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, several stepchildren and grandchildren and many friends who were family.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Mary (Harold) Karwal, all of Iowa, husbands Ed Baier and Bill Murray and longtime companion John Moore.

At lsabeI’s request, there will be no service.