Muriel Jean (Fonger) Idziorek, 92, died peacefully in her sleep on May 1 at Beehive Assisted Living. She was born April 7, 1923 in Superior Wisconsin, the first child of Robert and Lillian Fonger. She was premature and small enough to sleep in a shoebox. Her grandmother Mary Smith took over her care, warming her in the oven to keep her alive. Muriel was joined in the coming years by her two very active brothers, Robert and Glen. She attended Nelson Dewey Elementary and was an excellent student and a budding artist and poet. She graduated from East High School in 1941. She worked at the Androy Hotel as a secretary then moved to St Paul then Ogden, Utah where she did office work for the US Air Force. In 1942 she joined the US Marine Corps and served for 2 years. Most of her time was spent at the Marine Corps base at Miramar in San Diego. In 2009, the Bong Museum in Superior did an exhibit on women Marines using Muriel's carefully saved uniforms, papers and photos.  After her service she returned to Superior and attended art school. During the war she had written to Robert Idziorek and in 1948 they were married. Daughter Jan arrived in 1949 followed by Bob (52) and Jill (57). The family moved to Duluth, living first in Gary and then in Smithville. Muriel devoted herself to being a good homemaker, sewing her children's clothing and experimenting with creative meals. She was active in the PTA and in Riverview Methodist Church. Robert bought the Gambles Hardware store in Morgan Park in 1951, and Muriel helped out there as well. When her children were grown Muriel worked at the Magnolia Dress Shop in West Duluth. She had lots of friends and had a great sense of humor. Her favorite comic strip was Peanuts. She loved butterflies and always had them around her- on her walls, towels, and scarves. She enjoyed painting and took classes in watercolors and oils. She was an avid reader and Scrabble player and loved to spend time with her six grandchildren.