Rochelle A. Murray Papers

Rochelle was born on December 14, 1936 in Davenport, Iowa, the daughter of Walter and Lila Kroeger Murray.

Rochelle grew up in Davenport and attended local elementary and junior high schools. She graduated from Davenport High School in 1955, from Marycrest College in Davenport in 1959 with her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech and Drama, and received a Master’s Degree in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin in 1968.

Rochelle’s professional career spanned over 45 years in the children’s services of the Davenport Public Library. She dedicated her life to promote literacy and the love of reading to the young people of the Quad City area. The Davenport Public Library Board of Trustees voted to rename the children’s library to the Rochelle A. Murray Children’s Center. She worked for 18 years as a radio show hostess for WOC Radio and for several years had a television show with the city of Davenport on a cable TV channel focusing on the cultural life in the Quad City area.

Because of her interest in children’s literature and friendship with author, David R. Collins, she was a founder and director of the Children’s Literature Festival, now the Rochelle A. Murray Children’s Literature Festival. For over 30 years annually, tens of thousands of students, teachers, and chaperones have attended, met, and learned from authors and illustrators.

In addition to the festival, Rochelle played a major role in developing the Midwest Writing Center. She was a Emeritus Board Member. Rochelle always supported the creators of the written word and showcased their talents in so many ways. She organized and presented the annual Salute to Authors while at the Davenport Library which honored local authors. Along with a small group of Midwest Writing Center board members, she planned and offered the first David R. Collins Writers’ Conference, which has now completed its 17th year and continues to be a highlight for many local and regional writers. She spearheaded the creation of the Midwest Writing Center Legacy Society.

All of these activities had Rochelle giving hundreds of volunteer hours annually. Rochelle eagerly shared her time, talent, and treasure in promoting the literary arts in our community. She is acknowledged in numerous local authors work. She was a true champion of the literary arts.

Awards include the Bi-State Literacy Council Award, Sister Camille Clark Exemplary Service Award, Lloyd Schoeneman Community Arts Supporter Impact Award, Mississippi Bend Reading Council Merit Award, and the Cornelia Meigs Award for Children’s Literature in the Quad Cities.

Memberships include Kappa Gamma Pi Honor Society, Beta Phi Mu International Honor Society, Alpha Delta Kappa, and the Midwest Writing Center Legacy Society.

Walter Raymond Murray (1901-2000) was the son of Charles D. and August (Gamber) Murray. He married Lila Kroeger in 1935. Murray was employed 18 years as manager at Mengel's Meat Market, then spent 29 years at Rock Island Arsenal, retiring in 1969.

Lila Bernice Kroeger (1913-1991) was the daughter of William H. and Onnie (Gilbraith) Kroeger. Lila's mother died in 1924 when her two daughters were very young. Her father was remarried in 1938 to Helen Murphy. Lila graduated from Davenport High School in 1930 and the Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in 1934 and was employed as a private duty nurse for many years. She did research at the Davenport Municipal Art Gallery.