Murna Mary Courtad

Murna Courtad, 88, a lifelong resident of the Traverse City area, passed away at home on June 6, 2024 after a battle with cancer. Murna Mary Brown was born on May 18, 1936 to Jay and Ceolia (Sogge) Brown at Incochee Farm in Traverse City. For 9 years, she attended Stricker School (a one-room schoolhouse) before attending Traverse City Central High School where she was a member of the 4-H Club. On June 4, 1960, she married Aloysius Courtad who survives. They just celebrated 64 years of marriage. She worked part-time for 28 years as a secretary for the Traverse City Iron Works and then 12 years as a bookkeeper for a CPA while being a homemaker, loving wife, and mother. While raising 4 children, she volunteered at Glenn Loomis Elementary School as a room mother, library assistant, and numerous years as a Girl Scout Cookie Chairperson. Additionally, she served her community as an election official, was an active volunteer at Immaculate Conception Church assisting with bingo, and funeral luncheons and pantry ministries, along with being a member of the Cedar Run Ladies Aid and the VFW Women’s Auxiliary. Murna delighted in time with family, going on road trips around the state as well as bigger trips across the country with her husband to visit historical landmarks and national parks. She enjoyed participating in the Women’s Club at Immaculate Conception Church in the Ecarious Variety Club, especially liking the bus trips, swimming in Long Lake, stamp collecting, reading, as well as listening to country and polka music. She adored watching the Detroit Tigers on TV as much as her mother Ceolia had adored listening to their games on the radio. She is survived by her husband, Al, children, Dianne (Jim) Thompson of Traverse City, Gregory Courtad of Puma Valley, CA, Lorraine Courtad of Traverse City, and Margaret (Ben) Weinzapfel of Traverse City, grandchildren, Tricia (Kelly) Martin, Jacob Courtad, and Vanessa Weinzapfel, and greatgrandchildren, Carley Allen Potes, Ashley, Skylar, and Zoe Martin, sisters-in-law Patricia Frankie, Joan Romis, and Delores Kress. She was preceded in death by her parents, half sisters Leola Hockin Antor Black and Laureen Towers, and granddaughter Dyllan Courtad. Mass of Christian burial will be held Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at 11:00 am with visitation beginning one hour prior at Immaculate Conception Church of Traverse City. Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 11, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm with the rosary to be prayed at 6:00 pm at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse city. Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Cancer Research, Immaculate Conception Pantry Ministry, or the Father Fred Foundation. The family would like to give special thanks to Tamara and the team from Munson Hospice for their care and compassion.

Murna Mary Courtad

May 18, 1936 - June 6, 2024