Kenneth Murphy

KEOTA ? Kenneth ?Jim? ?Pops? Murphy, 85, of Keota, died Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015, in University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Oct. 23, at Holy Trinity Parish ? St. Mary Catholic Church in Keota with the Rev. Charles Fladung officiating. Cremation will follow the service. Visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m., Thursday at the church, where there will be a wake service at 4 p.m. A general memorial fund has been established. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Murphy was born June 6, 1930, in rural Hills, the son of Richard and Clara (Kron) Murphy. He married Pauline Kaalberg in May 1950 at St. Mary?s Catholic Church in Lone Tree. The couple later divorced. He married Regina Rugg on April 20, 1991, in rural Keota.

He received his education in country schools. He farmed his whole life, mostly in Washington County. He was a member of Holy Trinity Parish and enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, going to morning coffee, and his dogs.

Surviving are his wife, Regina, of Keota; nine children, Dave Murphy and wife Susie of Washington, Steve Murphy and wife Carol of Estero, Florida, Linda Murphy and Zene Kempf of Washington, Ang TeBockhorst and husband Jerry of Washington, Ronne Murphy and wife Carlene of Kalona, Jerry Murphy of Washington, Glori Fowler and husband Ted of Cambria, California, Jeff Murphy and wife Kristi of Washington, and Robert Murphy and wife Angie of Wellman; 19 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Pat Murphy and wife Ann of Iowa City, Cliff Murphy and wife Mary of Iowa City, and Leonard Murphy and wife Norma of Hills; and two sisters, Mildred Greazel of Cedar Rapids, and Betty Raciborski and husband Ed of Tampa, Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Richard; one daughter, Lori; one grandson; one daughter-in-law, Beth; and one brother, Warren.