Leo Murphy

Funeral Services for Leo Murphy, age 81, will be on Saturday, March 24, 2012 at 10:30 AM at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville, MN. Pastor David Breu will be officiating. Visitation will be at the Mundwiler & Larson Funeral Home in Graceville on Friday evening, March 23, from 5:00 – 8:00 PM, with a 7:00 PM prayer service. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Burial will be at the Graceville Consolidated Cemetery.


Leo Vincent Murphy was born on February 20, 1931 on the family farm in Parnell Township, Traverse County, Minnesota, to Edward and Martina (Ehrnst) Murphy. He graduated from Graceville High School in 1949. From 1951 to 1954 Leo served in the United States Army, stationed in Okinawa, serving as Personnel Management Specialist and achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. On October 22, 1955, Leo married Marian Nosbusch at St. Barnabas Catholic Church in Barry, Minnesota.

Leo was an active community member, serving on the Soil and Water Conservation Board of Traverse County for over 20 years, on the Parnell Township Board and a member of the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus. St. Barnabas Catholic Church was an important part of the Murphy family where Leo also volunteered and served.

Leo lived and farmed near Barry, MN, his entire life. He truly enjoyed the risks and rewards of farming. He had many hobbies and interests. He learned to fly and eventually owned his own plane and even made room for a landing strip on the farm. Leo enjoyed golfing, fishing, bowling, and playing cards, sometimes all night! Music was a big part of his life. Throughout their marriage, Leo and Marian danced, including round dancing, square dancing, waltzing, and two-step. He taught himself to play the guitar, piano, and harmonica. He loved to sing and even through the progression of Alzheimer's disease, he continued to sing his favorite tunes. Leo loved to travel and fostered a sense of adventure in his children. In their retirement years, Leo and Marian enjoyed their winters in south Texas. He drove semi for himself and others, often taking one of his children with to share the adventure. Leo placed a high value on family and he will be deeply missed. His family finds solace in knowing Leo is in a higher place with his wonderful memories restored.

Leo passed away on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, having reached the age of 81 years and one month.

Cherishing his memory are his wife Marian; his children Jennifer DeMoss of Houston, TX; Karen Murphy of Mukilteo, WA; Jeanette Murphy of Roseville, MN; Colleen (Dean) Shupe of Marshfield, WI; Ken (Sandy) Murphy of Marshall, MN; Patrick (Marilyn) Murphy of Graceville; and Dina Murphy Bellmore of Chaska, MN; his grandchildren: Emily and Jackie DeMoss; Kara and Joshua Shupe; Kayla and Kyle Murphy; Dylan Murphy; Matthew and Morgan Bellmore; his brothers Joe of Houston, TX; Jim (Nancy) of Graceville; Bob (Linda) of Houston, TX; Pat (Mary) of Two Harbors, MN; his sister, Mary Gray of Hankinson, ND, sister-in-law Marjorie Murphy of Minneapolis, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Leo is preceded in death by his son, Edward, his brother, Bill, and son-in-law, Pat DeMoss.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Alzheimer's Association (http://www.alz.org/).