Esther Small Murphy

MURPHY, SMALL, BEEMAN, HARRIS

Posted By: Tara (email)
Date: 1/20/2011 at 11:08:57

Esther Small Murphy, 93, of Ankeny and former longtime resident of West Branch and Iowa City passed from this life peacefully Sunday, January 16, 2011 in Des Moines.
Graveside Services will be held at 2:30pm Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at Memory Gardens Cemetery. The family will greet friends at the American Legion, 3016 Muscatine Avenue, following the service. In lieu of flowers, condolences and memorial contributions may be directed to American Legion Post #17 Auxiliary for scholarships at Girls State c/o PO Box 167, Iowa City, Iowa 52244. Arrangements are with Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service.
Esther was born December 28, 1917 in Tipton, the daughter of Walter and Margaret Small. She grew up in Springdale and graduated from Springdale High School in 1935. On December 31, 1941 Esther married William H. Murphy. Bill and Esther lived in Iowa City and later moved to West Branch. In 2006, Esther moved to Ankeny to be closer to her son and his family.
Esther worked at UIHC for many years and was a 60 year member of the American Legion Post #17 Auxiliary. Esther loved to sew, do crafts and bake. Her crafts, cakes noodles and cookies were shared with everyone.
Esther will be greatly missed by her son, James (Cheryl) Murphy of Ankeny; grandson William Murphy of Maryville, MO; granddaughter Sarah (James) Beeman of Ankeny; three great grandchildren Brooklyn, Isabella and Greyson Beeman and her sister Fern Harris of Tulsa, OK. Esther was preceeded in death by her loving husband William H. Murphy in 1977.