Support Pours in for Rancher’s Wife and 7 Daughters

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Northern Ag Network Note:  Owen Murnion, a rancher from Jordan MT died last week from a tragic farm accident leaving behind his wife and seven daughters aged 15 through 5.  In the days following, the small community in Garfield County has really pulled together to help out the family by organizing meals for the next six months and calving help at the Murnion ranch has been taken on by family member Clint Weeding.  A benefit fund was also started online to help create a safety net for the family.  Thanks in part to the power of social media, the information has been shared by thousands and has helped raise almost $80,000 for the family in just over 4 days.  Be sure to scroll to the bottom if you are interested in learning how you can help support this family.

 

by Anne Miller, neighbor and friend

Owen Murnion passed away while unloading farm equipment on Thursday, February 12 in Jordan, Montana. This man treasured every moment with his family, deeply valued his relationship with God, and was fiercely proud of his community. He leaves his wife Briana and seven children ranging in age from 15 to 5, including two sets of twins. He was only 38.

 

A dedicated father and husband, Owen spent considerable time with his family despite the busy schedule involved in a cattle & crop operation.  Their first calf of the season dropped the day he was killed. With a family history in sheep production as well, he was known to quip happily about his double sets of twins. Owen & Briana mentored many new parents of large families and multiples, offering comfort and advice in ways that were always gentle. The couple was well-known for holding hands in public.

 

The Murnions had just completed the transfer of the ranch between family generations, with Owen and Briana finishing a home at that location within the past four years. Owen was an accomplished carpenter and relished tough projects with devotion, while providing very amusing commentary to bystanders. After college, Owen was a trapper for Garfield County and also had worked for the United States Department of Agriculture, and for Wildlife Services. An avid hunter & long range shooter, Owen shared these passions with his girls by taking them hunting and teaching them about shooting sports.

 

Owen Murnion’s family is dedicated to serving others in all aspects of the community and walked the Bible scriptures they so often quoted. Together, they frequently provided additional help to neighboring ag producers, brought area families meals in times of struggle and went out of their way to care for others with even the smallest gestures. They are very involved with Community Bible Church in Jordan. Owen was the church treasurer, led men’s bible studies and was a big part in helping remodel the church.

In short, Owen was the kind of guy that would spend a 12 hr day in the field and still found time to kiss his wife, amuse anyone communicating with him via radio, ensure his neighbors had the help they needed and make sure his childrens’ covers were all tucked in properly before he went to bed for the night.

 

After permission from the family, the Owen Murnion Benefit Fund was started to help create a safety net for Owen’s wife and children.

 

 

How you can help:

You can offer your support financially through a donation through the GoFundMe site:  http://www.gofundme.com/owenmurnion

Or if you would like to mail a personal check,  an account has been set up at the Garfield County Bank.

Owen Murnion Memorial
c/o Garfield County Bank
444 Main Street, P.O. Box 6
Jordan, MT 59337

Phone: (406) 557-2201

 

Rollover Benefit Auction:  On Tuesday March 3, Miles City Livestock Commission will hold a Benefit for the Owen Murnion Family.  Miles City Livestock invites anyone to Consign Livestock or Donate other items for this benefit. For more information please call (406) 234-1790

Source:  Anne Miller

 

 

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