Alice Josephine Murphy, age 92 of Cherokee, IA, passed away Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Heartland Care Center in Marcus, IA. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cherokee, IA. Father Dan Rupp will officiate. Burial will take place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Cherokee, IA. Visitation with family present will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Monday night at the Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home in Cherokee. There will be a rosary conducted by the Catholic Daughters at 4:30 p.m. Monday and a 7:00p.m. prayer service following visitation Monday night at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Catholic Daughter’s of America Cherokee, IA, or Cherokee Regional Medical Hospice. The Greenwood-Schubert Funeral Home in Cherokee, IA is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.greenwoodfuneral.com.
OBITUARY
Alice Josephine Murphy, the daughter of Leo and Nell (Calentine) Conway, was born January 1, 1933, in Emmetsburg, IA. Her childhood years were spent in Emmetsburg where she attended school and graduated from the Catholic High School in Emmetsburg.
On May 25, 1953, Alice was united in marriage to Donald Murphy, her high school sweetheart, who ironically grew up in the house next door to her in Emmetsburg. Following their marriage, Don served with the Army from 1953-1955. Alice worked from home where she helped to raise their five children. They lived in Le Mars, IA for a short time, before moving to Cherokee, IA in 1964.
Alice was an active member at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cherokee, IA, where she served 67 years with the Catholic Daughter’s of America, and a Eucharist Minister for 20 years. She was also a member of the Cherokee V.F.W. Auxiliary for 46 years. Alice enjoyed golf, playing bridge, and was an avid cook and baker, known especially for her cookies. She was a great wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
On Thursday, March 13, 2025, Alice passed away at Heartland Care Center in Marcus, IA, at the age of 92. She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Murphy; her parents, Leo and Nell Conway; one son, Mark Murphy; four sisters, Florence Lynch, Lucille Sewell, Edna Nelson, and Delores Hauber; and one brother Leo Conway.
She will lovingly be remembered by her children, Daniel (Karen) Murphy of Alexandria, MN, Kathryn (Leo) Novosel of Oak Lawn, IL, Michael (Arlene) Murphy of Alexandria, MN, and Patrick (Shondra) of Adel, IA; 23 grandchildren, 25 ½ great-grandchildren; three sisters, Mary Schroder of Ankeny, IA, Virginia Fokken of Cherokee, IA, Francy (Ben) Brink of Rock Rapids, IA; and a very large Irish family.
