Nancy Harlor Murdoch

Nancy Harlor Murdoch, Thursday, February 19th, 1931 ~ Tuesday, December 23rd, 2025

Nancy Harlor Paine was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, on February 19, 1931. She grew up in a loving home, with her grandparents living right next door to them during her childhood. They attended First Baptist Church whenever the doors were open.

When she was in high school, she began playing basketball and became a cheerleader. At a local drug store, you could find Nancy working behind the soda fountain, serving up delicious ice cream and sodas.

Following high school, Nancy attended Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts. While she was there, she was again on the cheerleading squad and continued her basketball career – setting the women’s scoring record, which she held long after she had graduated. In 1948, she met and fell in love with Elmer “Doc” Murdoch, the love of her life. He was completing his senior year in seminary. They were married on September 13, 1952, in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

After the wedding, their life of ministry began. They worked with Youth for Christ for two years. In 1954, they joined the Christian & Missionary Alliance. Their first church was in Swansea, Massachusetts, at South Swansea Union Church, where Nancy gave her life to Christ in 1955. Nancy had a deeper life experience in the Spirit in 1957 in Denver, Colorado, under the ministry of Paris Reidhead.

Following that church in Swansea came a long list of other churches they pastored in Foxboro, Massachusetts; Toledo, Ohio; Chicago, Illinois (where he followed the previous pastor, A.W. Tozer); Lincoln, Nebraska; and finally Omaha, Nebraska.

They began their ministry in Omaha at the Omaha Gospel Tabernacle of the Christian & Missionary Alliance, where they served for seven years before Doc resigned. In 1975, a group of believers started a church that became Trinity Church, and they invited Doc to be their pastor. After much prayer, Doc and Nancy accepted this position, where they ministered for 20 years before retiring.

One of her passions was leading Vacation Bible School, which she had faithfully led with her energy and humor at every church they served. While at Trinity, Nancy began to have a deeper understanding of Union Life, the truth that became her stewardship. Nancy was known for her teaching. She taught the method and truths of Step Up To Life, the fullness of the Holy Spirit and the believer’s Union with Christ. She taught countless women’s Bible studies and spoke at women’s retreats. Nancy also authored the workbook, “Life God’s Way,” which covers the basic truths of the Christian life. Even into her 90s she led Bible studies at the assisted living home where she resided.

Nancy loved reading. Her favorite authors were Andrew Murray, A.W. Tozer, Paris Reidhead, F.B. Meyer and Watchman Nee. She also enjoyed historical novels. In her free time, she enjoyed ice skating, badminton (in her younger days) watching WWII movies and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Nancy is preceded in death by her parents, Lincoln & Dorothy Paine; her sister, Virginia Pierce; and her husband, Elmer Herbert Murdoch. She is survived by her three children, Heather (Bill) Olander, Lincoln (Jennifer) Murdoch, Bethany (Gregg) Larson, nine grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

CELEBRATION OF NANCY'S LIFE: Friday, January 2, 2026 at 11:00 AM, with FAMILY RECEIVING FRIENDS one hour prior to the service, all at Lifegate Church (15555 W Dodge Rd.)

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Nancy's memory to Step Up To Life Ministries: (CLICK HERE) to make a donation.

Braman Mortuary & Cremation Services, 6505 S. 144th St. Omaha, NE 68137 / 402-895-3400