Obituary: Anita J. Murrens

Anita J. Murrens, 89, of Vernon Hills, formerly Rock Island, died peacefully in her sleep on February 27th. Born May 15, 1928 to Richard and Alice Koenig, she graduated from Rock Island High School in 1946 and Augustana College in 1950 and obtained a Master of Sciences in Education from Western Illinois University.

An educator, Anita taught English at United Township High School for 19 years. She was elected to the Rock Island/Milan, District 41, Board of Education in 1974, serving until 1981 and was Board President from 1975-1976. During this time she helped facilitate the desegregation of the Rock Island public schools.
She married Richard L. Murrens on June 28, 1952 in Rock Island. They were married for 36 years until his death in 1989.

She is survived by her five children: Kay, Jody, Tom (Chris), John (Sherry), Leigh Anne (AJ) Marisca; eleven grandchildren: Mark, Katherine, Maggie, Peter, Joe, David, Paul, Luke, Sarah, Cecilia and Charlie; sister, Pat (Mike) Brogan, brother, Richard (Joyce) Koenig and numerous cherished nieces and nephews.

She is remembered for her infectious laugh, dedication to social justice and numerous other causes, love of her family, American literature, the English language and the occasional very dry gin martini. She made sure you stopped at every historical marker along the roadside and was replete with witty phrases.

Services will be held Friday, March 16th, at Annunciation of Our Lady Episcopal Church, 5725 Stearns School Road, Gurnee, IL 60031 at 7PM. Visitation to occur at 6PM with a light reception to follow the service. Interment and celebration of life will take place the weekend of June 9th in Rock Island, details to follow.
A memorial contribution can be given to Annunciation of Our Lady Episcopal Church or the National Parks Conservation Association, npca.org/give/memorial-tribute-giving.