Murel Adele Nitschke

Murel Adele Nitschke, 94, formerly of Jud and Jamestown, North Dakota, passed away Monday, February 3, 2025, at Eventide Assisted Living, Jamestown.

Murel Tompkins was born October 18, 1930, in Dazey, ND, the daughter of Alvina (Fischer) Tompkins and Glen K. Tompkins. As her father was a Northern Pacific Depot agent, they moved many times over the course of his career. As a result, Murel attended various schools such as Dazey, Sanborn, Burea, West Fargo, Kathryn, and Jud, ND.

While attending school in Jud, she sang in the school glee club, played basketball, softball, and enjoyed high jump and racing on play day. She graduated in 1949 from the Jud Public School. Murel attended the Methodist Episcopal Church in Jud and sang in the Youth Children’s Choir and later in the Senior Choir. She was confirmed in the Methodist Church while in high school and later joined the United Church of Christ after her marriage to Rudolph (Rudy) Nitschke on December 18, 1949. They resided on a farm two mile south of Jud, where they raised their six children.

 Music was always a very important part of her life. She loved singing harmony, as she sang alto. She sang with her mother at church functions and later with her husband, Rudy, at many weddings and special events. She enjoyed participating in local plays and in the church women’s groups. She loved watching her children in their school, athletic, and church events.

In November, 1988, Rudy semi-retired from farming and they moved to Jamestown, where Murel moved on from being a housewife to working at TSC as a travel agent for bus tours, and worked for Walmart until her retirement. They became members of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, where they remained active until their move to Mandan, ND, in September, 2014.

 Honored to have shared her life is her daughter and son-in-law, Renee (Robert) Opp, Arvada, CO; six grandchildren, and six great-granchildren; James Nitschke, Mandan, two grandchildren; Brian Nitschke, Jud; Kevin (Teri) Nitschke, Lincoln, ND, 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; Corey (Susie) Nitschke, Jud; three grandchildren; and Sheri Mackey, Ft. Pierre, SD.

 She was preceded in death by her parents, her soulmate, Rudy, her brothers Douglas and Darryl, and sister, Dorraine.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to SmileTrain.org.