Henry Murphy Obituary

Henry Joseph Murphy was born on July 1, 1934, at the Murphy Homestead, where he lived for the rest of his life, to JP & Sophie (Kaup) Murphy, the 5th of 12 children. He recalled riding to District 70 holding a potato as a hand warmer that would be his lunch later. Henry finished up his grade school at St. Boniface and continued his education at St. Mary's High School in O'Neill where the children were boarded during the school year and hitch hiked home on the weekends to help on the ranch.
Henry served his country in the US Army and was stationed at Fort Polk, LA. Upon returning to Stuart, he was smitten with Helen Seibken. They were married in 1959 and just celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary to which 5 children were born; Catherine, Timothy, Lisa, Lori and Brock.
After the honeymoon Henry and Helen started a dairy herd and was inspirational in bringing Grade A dairy status to this area and raising purebred Hampshire boars.
Henry expanded his love of livestock by starting his 24 year career with Moorman's Feed. Henry appreciated and was gratified by spending time with and serving the area farmers and ranchers. But their children remember the chicklet gum he always carried.
In most recent years he loved his garden and flowers. He especially enjoyed sharing his abundant produce with all he knew. One could always find him in the gardens.
Henry and Helen enjoyed traveling up to Branson and spending time in Kentucky with Lisa attending programs and playing with his grandkids and great grandkids.
Throughout his whole life he served his hometown and area as Atkinson Hospital board member and Stuart Village board member. Henry was a lifelong K of C member and was a longtime Financial Secretary and was honored to be a 4th Degree Knight. His strong belief in his faith was central to his life!
He was preceded in death by his parents, JP and Sophie, brother Frank, sisters Mary Murphy, Sr. Maureen Murphy, Sophie Ingraham, Eileen Denning and infant Betty Murphy.
Henry is survived by his wife Helen of Stuart; his sons Tim (Laurie) of Valentine, Brock of Mitchell, SD, daughters Lori (Justus) Melton of Kearney, Lisa (Mike) Jones of Paducah, KY, and Kate (Jim) Kunz of Stuart; 10 grandchildren and 8 Great Grandchildren; brothers Connie of Stuart, Jim of Norfolk and John of New York; and sisters Jane LaHood of Omaha and Rita Murphy of Paonia, CO.
Memorials may be made to the Stuart Fire and Rescue Department or the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus in Henry's memory.