Lyonors Grant Murnion, age 96, of Jordan passed away on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at the Holy Rosary Extended Care surrounded by her family.
On a cold Epiphany Day, Juanita Lyonors Grant was born to Fannie Bryant and Ray Grant in the teacherage at Phon, Montana. Her father was the school teacher. She always remembered fondly her early childhood at the family farm on Woody Creek. In 1931, the family moved to Jordan where she attended school, through high school graduation in 1938. In the autumn of her 16th year, she entered Montana State University in Missoula. She worked in a boarding house for room and board, graduating in 1942. On June 25, 1942, she and Clarke Murnion were married by Msgr. Thomas Hennessy at Sacred Heart Church in Miles City, Montana.
Lyonors descended from a long line of Anglican clergy and scripture scholars. She grew up Presbyterian and loved the poetry of the King James Bible. She converted to Catholicism shortly before her marriage. Her faith defined her.
As members of the Greatest Generation that endured the Great Depression and World War II, Lyonors and Clarke knew well the values of hard work, frugality, integrity, and faith. They started on a shoestring, worked hard, and built a successful ranch at Brusett, Montana. They instilled their values in their six children.
Lyonors and Clarke celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on June 25, 2002. He passed away April 4, 2003. She reluctantly moved to Jordan. She loved the ranch, but her kids made her buy a house in town. Eventually, the kids were forgiven. She enjoyed her flowers and friendships there. In 2015, when frailty and dementia made living alone impossible, her kids made her move again – into a nursing home. This time, she wasn’t so forgiving.
Lyonors was predeceased by her husband, Clarke, her parents, Fannie and Ray Grant, a brother Reymond (Bud) Grant, a sister Dorothy Grant and two grandsons, Dylan Murnion and Owen Murnion. She is survived by her children, Margie (Frank) Cristofaro, Joe (Bev), Jack (Charlotte), Nick (LeAnn), Dan (Dianna), and Tony (Pam). Her grandchildren are Traci (Ken) Clements, Tony (Katrina) Cristofaro, Joe (Ashley) Cristofaro, Ray Murnion, Berta Murnion, Kim (Rick) Flotkoetter, Shannon Smith, Brandon Murnion, Whitney (Colin) Manuel, Erin (Colin) McWilliams, Trevor Murnion, Todd (Jeanne) Maciag, Ben (Ashley) Maciag, April Maciag, James Murnion, Stephen Murnion, Connor (Katie) Murnion. She also had 34 great grandchildren.
A Vigil/Rosary will be held on Sunday, August 5, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 6, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan. Rite of Committal will follow in the Pioneer Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
A special thanks to all the people in Jordan who looked out for mom, and to the caring staff at Holy Rosary Extended Care and Hospice.
Service Schedule
Rosary & Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Sunday August 5, 2018
St. John's the Baptist Catholic Church
Jordan, Montana 59337
Mass of Christian Burial
11:00 a.m.
Monday August 6, 2018
St. John's the Baptist Catholic Church
Jordan, Montana 59337
Service Schedule
Rosary & Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Sunday August 5, 2018
St. John's the Baptist Catholic Church
Jordan, Montana 59337
Mass of Christian Burial
11:00 a.m.
Monday August 6, 2018
St. John's the Baptist Catholic Church
Jordan, Montana 59337
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Dolores H. Steiner says
What a legacy she has left to her family. She will be missed sitting in her favorite spot for mass.
Eugene and Connie Bankey says
I will always remember how Mrs Murion was so happy that Knights of Columbus had the Running of the Silver Rose scheduled a stop at Jordan, on the way to Glendive, from Lewiston, encouraged her family and friends to be at St Joseph’s to pray the rosary in honor of our Blessed Lady of Guadalupe. The church was almost full. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Monsignor Thomas Hennessy Assembly #1856
Karen Barnes says
MY HEARTFELT SYMATHY TO ALL OF LYNORS FAMILY – I ALWAYS ENJOYED HER COMPANY IMMENSELY WHENEVER I VISITED WITH HER. MAY ALL YOUR GOOD MEMORIES COMFORT YOU AT THIS TIME.
Phil and Darlene Shawver says
Condolences and Prayers for all of the Murnion Family .Lyonors will be missed by all who knew her . May you find Comfort in all of the Memories and Gods Love.
Muff Engdahl says
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Lyonors family. She was a very special lady, so many wonderful memories with her at the ranch baking caramel rolls, plucking chickens and turkeys! She will be missed by all that had the privilege of knowing her.
Kelsey Lee says
To the family of Lyonors Grant Murnion,
I am sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in knowing that “Jehovah is close to the brokenhearted; He saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) With sympathy,
Glen and Teena Bollinger says
Our deepest sympathy to all the family on the loss of your mother. Her and my mom were friends for many years. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless!
Glen and Teena Bollinger
Lori Murnion says
Lyonors will always have a special spot in my heart, she always kept me updated on the Grant Family happenings, she would tell me “us Grants have to stick together” She is in my Prayers
Mary Ellen Ryan says
My prayers and thoughts are with all of you at this time. She will be greatly missed but will forever be in all our hearts. Blessing to you all
Brad and Sandie Green says
To loss one Matriarch is hard, many prayers to your family and blessing of her memories.
Connie Blonigen says
My condolences to the families of Lyonors. May your many happy memories of her give you comfort during this sad time.
Kathy Montgomery Gangner says
Prayers for the blessed reunion Lyonors will share with her loved ones who went before. Thoughts and prayers too, for the rest of her family here on Earth.
Charleen Wiley says
Deepest sympathy for the loss of you mother, Nick and Dan, may the Lord shine his perpetual light upon all your family.
Peace and love
Ron Merwin says
I want to extend my thoughts and prayers to all of Lyonars family, my cousins. Her and Alice were the Grant Girls that stayed on in Garfield County and raised their families. I have many fond memories of Lyonars as well as her parents and siblings. A generation has passed and as we all grow older it is our memories that keep that generation alive in our thoughts and it is their sacrifices in the hard times, that they grew up, in that has blessed us in what we have today.
Jessie and I are with you at this time if only in our prayers. We love you.
Maureen Marko says
Lyonors was such a nice lady. She always had time to stop and visit when I’d see her a Mass when I was home visiting. Mom’s are such special people in our lives. RIP Lyonors Maureen Murnion Marko
Tim and Cheri Hafla says
Our deepest sympathy to all of Lyonors Family, she was a wonderful woman, may God comfort you all..
Matt and Jeana Bliss says
Our sincerest condolences on your loss. She will be missed.
Jo Ryan says
My sympathy to the Murnions. Lots of memories working sheep there.
Mike and Lynn Blakesley says
Our thoughts are with the entire Murnion family at this time.
DJ and Gloria Rath Milroy says
Our condolences and prayers with all of Lyonors loved ones.