Richard Edward Murphy

Richard "Dick" Murphy, age 66, died peacefully in his sleep with his family by his side at his home in Diamond Bluff after a long, courageous battle with cancer. He was born March 8, 1943 in Red Wing, Minnesota to C.W. (Dick) and Florence (Huppert) Murphy. He attended parochial school at St. Mary's Big River until 8th grade. Dick then attended Prescott High School, graduating in 1961. He married Sheila Frazier September 22, 1962 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Red Wing. The couple lived in Red Wing for a few years until moving back to Diamond Bluff in 1964 when he joined his dad working at C.W. Murphy Freight Lines in the trucking business. A lifelong resident of Diamond Bluff, Dick loved his family and grandkids more than anything. He enjoyed the trucking business, hobby farming, working outdoors, and restoring his 1929 Ford Model A. He loved watching the eagles fly over the Mississippi River.

He is survived by his wife, Sheila (Frazier) Murphy of Diamond Bluff; three children, Jim (Debbie) Murphy of Kentucky, Melissa (Chris) Brown of Hastings, and Tom (Molly) Murphy of St. Paul; grandchildren, Ryan, Mac, Anna, Sam, Dylan, Megan, and Jack; siblings, Patsy (Bob) Peterson of Scottsdale, Arizona, Ralph (Joan) Murphy of Prescott, Kathy (Paul) Swenson of Long Prairie, Pat (Marie) Murphy of Diamond Bluff, Mike (Linda) Murphy of Webster, Wisconsin, Joann Benson of Red Wing, John (Donna) Murphy of Diamond Bluff, Theresa (Mike) Tri of Diamond Bluff, and Brian (Carol) Murphy of Diamond Bluff, and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents and an infant brother.

Mass of Resurrection will be 10 a.m. January 2, 2010 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church with Father Thomas M. Kommers and Father William Matzek presiding. Burial will be at St. Mary's Big River Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ralph Murphy, Pat Murphy, Paul Swenson, Jack Lindstrom, Mike Lindstrom, and John Norquist. Visitation will be 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Friday, January 1, 2010 at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and one hour prior to the service at the church. www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.