Arla M Murfield

Arla Murfield, age 93, of Sioux Falls; formerly of Nunda and Brookings; died Tuesday, August 14, 2012, at Dougherty Hospice House, Sioux Falls.

Arla Minerva Bakke was born June 10, 1919, in Lake County, to Olaus and Milla (Albertson) Bakke.  She attended North Prairie Queen School and graduated high school from the School of Agriculture “Aggie School” in Brookings in 1938.  She was an active 4-H leader and was a delegate to the National 4-H Congress in Washington, DC.  Arla completed business school in Huron and worked for the Farmers’ Co-op Elevator in Brookings until 1949, and later at the Nunda Farmers’ Co-op from 1971 to 1983.  

Arla married Kermit Murfield on June 20, 1948, at Prairie Queen Lutheran Church near Nunda.  Together they farmed and raised eight children in the home Arla’s parents built when she was a young girl.  They moved to Brookings in 2001 and then to Good Samaritan Prairie Creek Assisted Living Center in Sioux Falls in October 2011.

Arla was a lifelong member of Grace Lutheran Church of Nunda and an active member of Sons of Norway, VFW Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary and extension clubs.  She enjoyed traveling to visit friends and family across the country and in Norway, and attended countless activities involving her children and grandchildren.

PRECEDED IN DEATH BY:  her parents; her brother Chris Bakke; grandson Caleb Murfield, son-in-law Bruce Baedke and nephew Kelly Bakke.

SURVIVORS:  include her husband Kermit of Sioux Falls; eight children, Diana Ray of Camden, SC, Dean (LeAnn) of Madison, Mark (Glenda) of Lenexa, KS, Stewart (Stannetta) of Fairmont, MN, Loren (Lisa of Odessa, FL, Twila Baedke of Sioux Falls, Scott (Shannon) of Lake Shetek, MN and Melanie (Mark) Pazour of Chamberlain, SD; 17 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, two great-great grandsons and two step-grandsons.

MEMORIALS:  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Grace Lutheran Church.

VISITATION:  The family will be present for visitation 5-7 PM Friday evening at Rude’s Funeral Home in Brookings.  Visitation continues one hour prior to the service at the church in Nunda.

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