Ruth Lorene Murphy

October 7, 2008
Murphy, Ruth Lorene, 85, died Tuesday, October 7, 2008. Rosary, 7:00 P.M., Thursday, October 9; Funeral Mass, 11:00 A.M., Friday, October 10, both at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Ruths life was a celebration of family, faith and friendship. Born on a Kansas farm, one of five children, she loved playing the piano and her passion for music continued throughout her life. As a young girl, she was involved in the 4H Club, church activities, as a clarinet player in the band, was a student conductor, a Glee Club and Mixed Chorus member and a baton twirler. Ruth was active throughout her life in the church, including choir, Perpetual Adoration, playing the organ, Altar Society and various church groups. Through the Literacy Program, she taught English reading to adults and children for several years. She worked for Western Union in 1942, at Beechcraft in 1944, co-owned a Merle Norman Cosmetics store during the seventies and worked for Emprise Bank in the eighties. Her beauty shown through as a woman with dignity, grace and humor. She played the piano at assisted living facilities, providing musical entertainment for the residents. Preceded in death by parents, Carl and Rachel Yarnell; brother, Obert; sister, Inez Bates; son, Patrick; grandson, Dylan Thornton. Survivors: husband of 61 years, Harry; children, Mignon (David) of St. Louis, MO, Brad (Roseann) of Mt. Horeb, WI, Mary (Thomas) of St. Louis, MO, Lesa Murphy Pierce of Wichita; sisters, Florence Bates of Lucas, Phyllis Talbot of Arcadia, CA; grandchildren, Kristopher Murphy (Sarah) of Mt. Horeb, WI, Samantha Murphy of Phoenix, AZ, Andrew Lamont of St. Louis, MO, Eleanor Pierce of Wichita, Rachel Kibby of St. Louis, MO; 4 great-grandchildren. Memorials established with Christian Foundation for Children Aging, (ASC265153) P.O. Box 805105, Kansas City, MO 64180 and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Ruth Murphy Memorial, 861 N. Socora, Wichita, KS 67212. Downing Lahey Mortuary West.
Rosary, 7:00 P.M., Thursday, October 9, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
we are deeply sorry about Ruth passing away. she will be deeply missed. what we will remeber about her is her smile and always saying a kind word.she is a beautiful person inside and out.
Dear Harry and Family, We are so very sorry to hear of your loss of your dear wife and mother. She was a pretty special person and we know that she will be missed by all those who knew her. It was a real blessing that she could be with Lesa and Ellie on those last few weeks of her life. It made it more comfortable and pleasant for Ruth and for all of you too. She is at peace now and not suffering in any way. For all of you, this will be a very difficult time, but God will see you through the trying days ahead. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all as we cannot be there in person to offer our condolences.