Murel Henry Doornek, age 74, died on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point.
Murel was born on April 29, 1934 on the family farm in northern McCone County, where he grew up with five brothers and one sister. He would often point out a still-standing log cabin with dirt floors near the Redwater River where he spent a couple of his toddler years before moving into their ‘new’ house further up the hill. In the 1940’s, the family moved to Wolf Point and another new house on Custer Street. Murel became active in the Boy Scouts, and earned his Eagle Scout badge in 1951. In 1950, he attended the Second National Scout Jamboree in Valley Forge, PA, and enjoyed seeing the many historical places nearby. In his teen years, he liked attending dances, and often drove to them in his brother Melvin’s car. During one such adventure, he and a buddy rolled the car into the ditch near Slattsville, but the car landed on its’ wheels, so they just looked it over then continued on to the dance. This earned him the nickname “Muleskinner”, which he says referred to the men who broke mules by getting right back on after getting thrown off.
During another dance in Frazer, he met his future bride, Mary Ann Fraser. Murel and Mary Ann were married on June 25, 1954 at Immaculate Conception Church in Wolf Point. Over the next thirteen years, they were blessed with six children – four daughters and two sons.
Murel spent a few months working oil fields north of Poplar, then worked for the City Meat butcher shop in Wolf Point for over twenty years until it closed in 1979. Following that, he worked at Wolf Point High School as head custodian until his retirement. When he wasn’t working in town, Dad was working on the farm that Sandy Fraser (Mary Ann’s father) homesteaded in northern Valley County. Dad was a farmer at heart – he loved raising crops, and enjoyed the solitude and challenges of farming. He drew much of his peace of mind from the time he spent in the fields.
Dad enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and hunting was one of his favorite excuses to do so. His years as a butcher meant that he was usually in the thick of it when it came to field dressing deer, and he was always more than willing to jump in and help. He loved hunting in his blue ’67 Chevy pickup, and hauled more deer in it than many have ever seen (and maybe a couple more that weren’t supposed to be seen!) Without four-wheel drive, his old pickup sometimes couldn’t make it up a snowy or wet hill, but he’d just keep backing up and getting a longer run at it until he finally made it! That seems to be a good example of Dads’ philosophy on many things, and also shows that there was always a good story and good laugh at the end of the day when hunting with Murel!
Murel was active in the Knights of Columbus for many years, and enjoyed helping with the church. He also enjoyed many card parties and fishing trips with his fellow Knights, particularly to Fort Peck Lake. His skill at whist was as legendary as his honesty, so none would question how anyone would get so lucky so often.
Pestering his kids and grandkids was another ‘gift’ of Dads’. It was difficult for him to let a kid pass by without pulling their shirt or ear or whatever he could reach, which was a typical Doornek way to show affection. His love for his family was very deep, and he was the strong foundation that we all leaned on in difficult times. The loss of Sandra, his first-born child, to cancer in 1994 was difficult for him. Mary Ann’s death from cancer just a couple years later brought even more sadness, but he carried these crosses with a strength and grace that serve as a great example to us all.
Murel’s final years were made more difficult from the effects of emphysema. He spent the last couple of years at the Faith Lutheran Home, where the nurses lovingly referred to him as “The Cookie Monster” because of his insatiable appetite for cookies. Despite his medical difficulties, he never lost his sense of humor. To his final days, he enjoyed a funny story, especially if it involved an embarrassing moment or bodily functions
Murel is survived by five children – Carla (Kurt) Jenewein of East Helena, MT; Donna of Wolf Point; Dale of Sultan, WA; Loren (Ka Mun) of Garden Grove, CA; and Lorie (Dave) Watters of Billings; one sister, Marie (Dennis) Lynch of Missoula, MT; as well as twelve (soon to be thirteen) grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Clara Doornek; his brothers Melvin, Manley, Myron (Bud), Marvin (Hans), and Martin (Chuck); his daughter Sandra; and his wife Mary Ann.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point, MT was entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the Doornek family at csmc.nemontel.net or www.stevensonandsons.com.