Barbara Ann (nee Ehmann) Murray

Barbara Ann Murray (nee Ehmann), 81, of Spring Grove, peacefully passed away at home Wednesday, March 29, 2023.  She was born February 20, 1942, in Chicago, to the late William “Bill” and Violet “Vi” (nee Gauger) Ehmann.

Barbara grew up in the Bricktown neighborhood (near Wrigley Field) of Chicago, and moved to her family’s lake house in Lake Villa when she turned 8 years old.  In 1950, her family purchased a resort on Pistakee Lake in Meyers Bay, Fox Lake and renamed it Ehmann’s Hillside Resort (now Famous Freddie’s).

She graduated grade school from St. Gilbert’s Parish, Grayslake and graduated from Grant Community High School, Fox Lake (1960).  For a short period of time, she went on to attend Mac Murray College in Jacksonville, Illinois.  Barb then attended surgical technician training at Wesley Memorial Hospital, Chicago, and worked for many years at the old McHenry Hospital on Green Street.

Barb and Bob took over the family resort, running it for nine years before selling it in 1974 to spend more time with their sons.  While running the resort, Barb took up ceramics—and that changed everything!  She taught the art to local women three days a week through her “Barb’s Dusty Nook Ceramics” business.  She was also a talented handiwork artist who excelled at airbrushing, knitting, crocheting, and needlepoint.  Her and Bob also enjoyed selling their unique ceramic items at art and craft shows across the country.

Barb and Bob enjoyed wintering in the Florida Keys, where they enjoyed the beaches, seafood, fishing, and hosting family and friends.  Above all, Barb loved spending time with her family—especially attending her granddaughters’ many events and visiting them at their universities.

Survivors include her beloved husband of 60 years, Robert “Bob”, whom she married August 4, 1962, at St. Bede Catholic Church, Ingleside; loving sons, Steve (Laura) and Jeff (Dawn Paree) Murray; her cherished granddaughters, Miranda (Clayton) Cooper, Courtney Murray, and Taylor Murray.

In addition to her parents, Barb was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Susan; paternal uncles, Chuck, Albert, and Thomas Ehmann; and cousins, Junior, Peggy, and Kathy; maternal aunt, Arlene (Gauger); and cousins, Joanie, Michael, and Katy.

Memorial visitation Friday, April 28, from 3-8 p.m., with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m., at Hamsher Lakeside Funerals and Cremations, 12 N. Pistakee Lake Rd., Fox Lake.  A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 29, at Our Lady of the Lakes-St. Bede Church, 36455 N. Wilson Rd., Ingleside.  Urn burial will follow at East Fox Lake Cemetery, Lake Villa.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Barb’s name to the charity of one’s choice is appreciated.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara Ann (nee Ehmann) Murray, please visit our floral store.