Zina Louise Murdock

Zina Louise Murdock passed away November 24, 2021. Louise, as she was known by beloved family and many friends, was born on September 21, 1937, in Salt Lake City, Utah to LaMar Thatcher and Zina Turnbow McDonald. Louise enjoyed a wonderful childhood in the Heber Valley and graduated from Wasatch High School. She attended LDS Business College in Salt Lake.
Louise married Robert Dean Duke on January 7, 1956, in Heber City, UT. Children Karen, Susan, Guy, Gladys. They later divorced. She then married Barney Murdock and they spent ten wonderful years together before he died on May 1, 1991.
Louise worked tirelessly from the time she was an early teen at a variety of jobs. Most of her career was spent at Wasatch County where she retired after 26 years. Some of her favorite responsibilities at the County included driving the bus to Wallsburg for summer swimming lessons, ensuring every child got on just the right T-ball team, supervising jail inmates as they cleaned the old courthouse, and interacting with juveniles and adults who had been sentenced to community service. Lousie saw good in everyone regardless of their circumstances. She loved taking care of “the men” as she called them at the public works department. Louise’s attitude and influence while working for Wasatch County was marked by a baseball diamond being named in her honor (Murdock Field) at the Veteran’s Memorial Park.
Louise had a natural gift of providing service and joy to others. She never considered herself a religious person because she did not have a deep understanding of doctrinal matters, but her actions spoke louder than any sermon as she went about doing good and lifting others.
Friends were a huge part of Louise’s life. “Hello my friend! How are you?” was how she often greeted people. In high school she had a large group of friends who have remained dear friends to this day.
Lousie loved her grandchildren and was always their biggest cheerleader. They in turn dearly love her.
Louise is preceded in death by her son Guy Duke and his twin baby daughters Angelique and J’Nelle Duke. She is survived by her sister Anita Hyde, daughters Karen (Kent) Smith, Susan (Gary) Buehner, Gladys (Lynn) Stevens, daughter-in-law Becky Duke, niece Marcy Murray, 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and countless others in the community who loved her and called her “Grandma Louise”.
Louise faced many difficult challenges throughout her life but always had the attitude that she would get up every morning, put a smile on her face, and take one day at a time. Her love and example will be greatly missed by many.
Thank you to doctors Neal Burton and Dr. Jill Faatz who helped her endure many of her health challenges.
Funeral services will be held, November 27, at 11:00 AM at the Ninth Ward Chapel, 300 East 500 North, Heber City. A viewing will be held at the same location on November 26, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM and prior to the services from 9:30 – 10:30. Interment will be in the Midway Cemetery, 700 W. 500 S. Midway. Streaming of the services may be viewed by visiting https://my.gather.app/remember/louise-murdock .