Willa Gae Palmer Murdock

Our unforgettable Mother and Grammy, Willa Gae Murdock passed away and reunited with her Father in Heaven and the love of her life, Suel Jack Murdock on April 29, 2024 in her home surrounded by family. 

Willa Gae was born October 3, 1930 in Holbrook, Idaho to William and Phillis (Page) Palmer. She is the youngest sister of 9 influential and protective brothers and 2 nurturing and classy sisters. After her short time on the homestead in Hollbrook, the depression brought her family to Dayton, Idaho and eventually to Preston where she attended grade school until she was 14 years old. In 1944, the labor conditions were such that her Father took the family to Ogden, Utah for employment in the defense plants during World War 2. Five of her brothers and brothers-in-law served in the US armed services. She remembers her parents proudly displaying the 5 blue stars representing their family members. She graduated from Ogden High School in 1948.

It was while visiting a friend in Preston that Willa Gae met Suel, and they were later married and sealed in the Logan Temple on November 12, 1948. During their early years of marriage, they enjoyed chasing and racing horses, camping with family and friends, family road trips and creating many other cherished memories. She loved to follow Suel around the state with her kids in tow on his business trips with the Cache Valley Breeding Association. Many may remember Gae as your Scoutmaster, she may have tightened some of your jewelry or pierced your ears at Merrill's Jewelry, or you may have known her when she worked at Ross distributing.

As a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, Gae was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She served in many auxiliaries of the church, but she always held a special place in her heart for her cub scouts during her 30 years in the Scouting Program. She also has special memories serving alongside Suel in the Logan, Utah Temple Baptistry. Continuing in her faith during the last few years, she would often be found sitting on the back row of the chapel or RS room with her ladies affectionally known by ward members as “the back row sisters” or the “three musketeers”. She kept her faith to the very end.

Gae and Suel were married for 56 years before Suel passed away in 2004. She continued to love and support her family living alone for the remaining 19 years of her life. Grammy’s warm smile could light up any room. She had a way of making everyone feel valued and loved, and her genuine care for others was evident in all that she did. Whether it was building a teepee for the next Roundtable for scouts, preparing her camper for the next famous Willow Flat Palmer Reunion, setting out the mini china set for the next tea party for the grandkids, or simply lending a listening ear, Grammy was always there for those she loved teaching us by example the importance of family and sticking together. We will forever remember her advice to smile and keep the world wondering what we are smiling about. She will live on in the hearts of many. 

Willa Gae was preceded in death by her parents, William and Phillis (Page) Palmer, her husband, Suel Jack Murdock, 11 siblings, and her infant son, Chris.

She will be missed by her children, Lynn (Jenny) Murdock, Pocatello, Idaho, Laurie Sue (John) Burg, Preston, Idaho, Peggy (Neil) McDermott, Ridgecrest, California, 9 grandchildren, Kristi Murdock (Pocatello, Idaho) Trevor Murdock (Pocatello, Idaho) Brandon (Teresa) Shaffer (Preston, Idaho) Pat (Stephanie) Shaffer (Cove, Utah), Becky (Jaron) Hatch (Preston, Idaho) Tina (Erik) Arter (Colorado Springs, Colorado), Jenni McDermott (Minnesota) Ricky McDermott (Ridgecrest, California) Andrew McDermott (Ridgecrest, California) 19 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday, May 3, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. in the Preston 3rd Ward Chapel, 155 North 200 West in Preston. There will be a viewing held Thursday May 2nd from 6-8 pm at Webb Funeral Home, 1005 S. 800 E. Preston, Idaho and Friday from 9:30-10:30 am at the church. Interment will be in the Dayton, Idaho Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at webbmortuary.com

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