Shirley Murphy

Minot

Shirley Eileen Murphy, 83, Minot, formerly of Carpio, died Sunday at home surrounded by her family.

Shirley was born September 8, 1940 in Spokane, WA to Harry and Amy (Rayburn) Sutton. She was raised in Spokane, WA and lived in Rapid City, SD for a short time before moving to Carpio, ND in 1956. She graduated from Carpio High School in 1959.

Shirley married Marvin Nicholas Murphy on June 6, 1959 in Donnybrook, ND. They lived, farmed and raised their six children on the original Cassidy family homestead in White Ash Township until Marvin passed away in 1995. After his passing, Shirley moved to Minot where she has lived for the past 28 years.

Shirley was active in the farming operation in many ways. She drove combine, hauled grain and anhydrous and made many delicious meals for the field. She was a member of St Anthony’s Catholic Church in Donnybrook and was active in St. Cecelia’s Circle along with teaching CCD classes. She volunteered at the Carpio School Cafeteria and various other activities at the school while her children were growing up. While living in Minot, she volunteered at St Joseph’s Gift Shop, Food Pantry and the Norsk Hostfest. She was also a member of St John’s Catholic Church.

While her kids were growing up, there were many Sundays in the summer, when Shirley hosted the cousins and neighborhood kids at the farm for baseball games, in spite of all the broken windows. Shirley always provided plenty of homemade bars and cookies for the kids to enjoy. Those Sundays were a special tradition enjoyed by all.

Shirley enjoyed bowling, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, bingo, playing Pokeno twice a week with her Pokeno groups, going to the casino with her friends, getting together with her breakfast club on Saturdays, boulevard nights with the neighbor ladies, and most of all, spending time with her kids, grandkids and great grandkids. Shirley also enjoyed crocheting afghans for grandkids and great grandkids.

Shirley was famously known by her family for making the best white and chocolate sour cream cookies. The love she put into the many batches of these time-consuming frosted cookies will be greatly missed by her family.

Shirley loved playing cards and taught all her kids, grandkids and great grandkids to play crazy rummy. This game was played at every holiday with every generation participating. Don’t get us wrong, the game got brutal and very competitive at times. Shirley did not like to lose!

Shirley was blessed to be able to get out of the cold and spend a few weeks during the winter with Dennis and his family in Nevada. Shirley enjoyed many other trips and vacations with her children throughout the years. Shirley was able to take a few of her grandkids on a special trip for their senior graduation gift with just the two of them; This was a memorable and special gift to both the grandchild and Grandma.

Shirley will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to share in her life.

Survived by: Children, Patrick (Diane) Murphy, Minot, Colleen (Mark) Birdsall, Berthold, Laurie Murphy, Fargo, Dennis (Kitty) Murphy, Minden, NV, Tim (Rhonda) Murphy, Dodge City, KS; Terry (Beth) Murphy, Minot. Grandchildren; Katie (Nathan) Fegley, Nicole (Toby) Lautenschlager, Shawn (Devin) Murphy, Danae (Blake) Inman, Devin (Jocilyn) Murphy, Logan (Kelsie) Murphy, Taylor (Rebecca) Murphy, Sierra (Nick) Austin, Shania (Jon) Fishbeck and Nicholas Murphy. Great grandchildren, Clay, Claire, Laila, Brady and Lyvia Fegley (Pat), Miles, Henry and Otto Lautenschlager (Pat), Parker, Ryan and Maddie Murphy (Pat), Owen, Emma and Autumn Inman (Colleen), Madison and Layla Murphy (Dennis), Landon, Levi and Leo Murphy (Tim), Rhett and Murphy Austin (Terry), Sophie Fishbeck (Terry). Sister, Charlotte Vaagen; Brother, Jay (Sue) Sutton; Stepbrothers, Jerry (Robin) Bass and Bill (Betty) Bass. Brother-in-laws, Donald Murphy and Roger (Kathyrn) Murphy; Sister-in-laws, Margaret Limke, Phyliss Wright; Stepsister-in-law, Rosie Bass, and several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death: husband, grandsons, Matthew Birdsall and Shane Murphy; parents Harry Sutton and Amy Furulie; Stepmother, Cecelia Sutton; Stepfather, Alfred Furulie; Father and Mother-in-law, William and Leah Murphy; sisters, Patricia Snyder and Cathy Rach; Brother, Ronald Wright; Stepbrothers, Bob Bass and Jack Bass; Stepsister, Betty Vaagen; Brother-in-laws Larry Limke, Earl Vaagen, Lloyd Vaagen, and LeRoy Rach; Sister-In-law, Bonnie Murphy.

Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, October 20, 2023, at 2 p.m. at St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Minot.

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND.

Visitation: Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Vigil Prayer Service: Thursday at 6 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com)

The service will be livestreamed for the public to view and can be accessed by going to the Thompson-Larson Funeral home website: www.thompsonlarson.com

Published by The Minot Daily News, October 18, 2023.