Lois Mae (Reuter) Murdock

Lois Mae (Reuter) Murdock, 88, of Aitkin, passed away Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Aitkin, following a courageous battle with colon cancer. She was born January 19, 1938, in Covington, Kentucky, to Teddie Earl Reuter and Edith Anna Christine Peterson Reuter. In 1941, the family moved from Ft. Thomas, Kentucky, to Indianapolis, Indiana, and in 1947 to St. Louis, MO, and in 1948 to Wheaton, IL. While in Junior High, she and a classmate created the first yearbook for the school. During her sophomore year, she was Treasurer of the Sophomore class. In her Senior year, she was Student Conference Secretary. She graduated from Wheaton Community High School in 1956.

Following graduation, she worked for American Can Company in Chicago, Braniff, and United Airlines (UAL). At UAL, she was a Stewardess stationed at Midway Airport in Chicago. She married John Eugene (Gene) Murdock in September 1958 and worked for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company in Chicago. When he joined the Air Force, she worked for UAL at O’Hare Airport in Chicago for Passenger Service. Gene was transferred to Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, CA, and Lois was transferred to San Francisco International Airport in Passenger Service. Travis AFB is a MATS (Military Air Transport) base where Lois worked nights as a Travel Agent & Bookkeeper. She attended Vallejo Junior College during the day and received her AA degree and Cosmetology license. She was then employed at AGE (Affiliated Government Employees) in Vallejo as a Bookkeeper. She transferred to AGE in Oakland as a Payroll Clerk.

They moved back to Martinez before buying a home in Concord, where their two sons were born. In 1975, they moved to Martinez, where the sons were enrolled in Diablo Montessori School in Lafayette. Lois worked in the classroom until they transferred to public schools. She worked for Mason McDuffie Mortgage Company in Walnut Creek, then City Bond & Mortgage Company in Pleasant Hill. When they went out of business, she worked for GMAC/RFC (Residential Funding Corporation) as a Loan Administrator. She retired 16 years later. She moved to Aitkin, MN, in 2016.

Lois was an avid reader and had a room devoted to her collection of books. She was active in Bible Study classes and a Patriot Ladies group of like‑minded political women. Throughout her adult life, she had many cats and dogs she truly loved and treasured. 

She is survived by her sons, Johnny Joseph Murdock (Carrie) of Grapevine, Texas, and Teddy Lee Murdock (Amy) of Sacramento, CA; grandchildren Devon, Ben, Ainsley, and Timothy Murdock, and Van and Eve Murdock; sisters Mary (Reuter) Wagner (Mel) of Mount Prospect, IL, and Julie (Reuter) Lueck (Larry) of Aitkin, MN; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who mourn her passing.

She is preceded in death by her parents; brother, Clair Eugene Reuter (Betty) of Naperville, IL; nephew, Paul Reuter of Naperville, IL; and ex‑husband, Gene Murdock of Martinez, CA.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 36696 – 320th Street, Aitkin.  Burial will be in the Bethlehem Cemetery. A lunch will be served in the Bethlehem Fellowship Hall following the services.  To leave a message of condolence, please visit:  www.srtfuneral.com.  Arrangements are with Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Aitkin.

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