CAROLYN MARIE MURRAY LUNDBERG

(June 15, 1937 – March

20, 2021)

Carolyn Marie Murray was born on June 15, 1937 to James and Orpha Murray in Phelps County, Nebraska, the second of four siblings. Carolyn grew up on a country farm, where she helped with chores, played catch with her older brother, and used a tree as her playhouse. She attended elementary and high school in Nebraska before her family moved to Richvale, California in 1954. After finishing high school in Biggs, Carolyn took the train to attend Trinity College in Chica- go, Illinois.

In 1958, Carolyn married Harlan Lundberg. Together, they enjoyed more than 50 years of marriage, traveled the world, raised three children, and were foster parents to many more. Carolyn and Harlan began farming rice with their family in the late 1950s and were among the founding families of Lundberg Family Farms. Carolyn loved to represent the family at farmers’ markets, grocery stores, and trade shows, where she proudly introduced herself as “Mrs. Lundberg.” She also helped develop recipes, new products, artwork, and packaging for the company.

In 1971, Carolyn, Harlan, and their three young boys served as Peace Corps volunteers in Belem, Brazil, where Carolyn cared for children whose parents had leprosy while Harlan worked with rice farmers and millers to improve rice quality. Over the years, Carolyn and Harlan also used their talents as children’s home parents in Brazil and Kenya, volunteered with Cadence International at an Air Force base in Italy, and served in supporting roles with Wycliffe in England and YWAM in Chico, Hawaii, and Mexico.

Carolyn and Harlan also traveled extensively for business and pleasure. They visited rice growing regions, missionary friends, and many parts of the world. However, Carolyn’s three children and eight grandchildren were her greatest joy. She encouraged them to walk with God, supported their educational pursuits, cheered them on during sporting events and piano recitals, took them on adventures near and far, and made every day feel like Christmas. Carolyn was a wonderful wife, mother, grandma, sister, friend, and neighbor. Friends and family were always welcome at her table. Whether they were invited or simply dropped by to say hello, Carolyn was happy to share a cup of coffee or a bite to eat while working on a puzzle or playing Tile Rummy, Uno, or Skip-Bo. However, talking, laughing, telling stories, and spending time together was more important than any game.

Carolyn committed her life to Jesus at an early age and devoted her time and treasure to Him. She was involved with the Richvale and Oroville Evangelical Free Churches, where she served as a youth leader, a teacher, a deaconess, and a board member. When Carolyn was a little girl, her grandmother told her she could be a teacher, a nurse, or a missionary when she grew up. As Carolyn told her family, “I was all