Geri McShane Murtaugh

Geralyn McShane Murtaugh was born on June 2, 1962 to Joseph and Leona Kramer McShane in Waseca, MN. She went to country school for a short time and then Owatonna Schools where she was active in the choir and played violin in the orchestra. Geri graduated from Owatonna High School in 1980. She graduated from the College of St. Thomas with a Bachelors degree in Journalism in 1984. While at St. Thomas she was a member of the liturgical choir, worked on the Aquin student newspaper and also worked as an intern for the Diocese of St. Paul. After graduation she went to work at the Waseca County News, followed by the Albert Lea Tribune in 1986. Geri passed away on the 24th anniversary of her employment there. On October 26, 1991 Geri was united in marriage to Michael Murtaugh at the Church of St. Theodore. She was a member of the Church of St. Theodore and volunteered at St. Theodore's school in many capacities. Geri was a past board member and secretary of The Children's Center and past member of the Lakeview Lions. She liked animals and enjoyed helping the Freeborn County Humane Society. Geri was also active with the Bayside Ski Club and Albert Lea Figure Skating Club as a parent volunteer. She enjoyed baking, cake decorating and reading. Geri was a devoted mother who enjoyed helping with all of her children's activities. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Survivors include her husband Mike; and daughters Erin and Tierney of Albert Lea; mother Leona R. McShane of Waseca; sisters Pat McShane, Peg Mike Lawrence, Alice McShane, Deb Ron Meissner, and Colleen McShane fiancé Bruce Brown, brothers Joe McShane, Mike Sigrid McShane, Tom Betty McShane, Gene Diane McShane and Kevin McShane; mother-in-law and father-in-law Margie and Jim Murtaugh; sister-in-law Mary Jensen; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and her very dear pets Ruby, Bill, Lydia and Bacon. Geri was preceded in death by her father Joseph, brother Bobby, and sister Lori. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the St. Theodore School Endowment Fund, Freeborn County Humane Society, American Cancer Society, or the Geri Murtaugh Cancer Fund c/o Farmer's State Bank, Albert Lea.