Donald A. Murphy

Donald A. Don Murphy, age 67, Doland, died on Friday, March 19, 2004 at the Memorial Community Hospital in Redfield after a brief illness due to cancer. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 10:30 AM in the St. Michael's Catholic Church at Clark with Fr. Ken Bain officiating. Burial will follow in the St. Boniface Cemetery at Clark. Closed casket visitation will be held on Monday from 5-7PM with a Scripture Wake Service beginning at 6:30 PM all in the Furness Funeral Home at Clark. He was born at Clark on May 28, 1936, the son of Walter and Elsie (Beach) Murphy. He attended the Hess & Wallen Country School northwest of Clark and then attended Clark School graduating in 1954. Following his high school education, he worked for an area farmer and potato company. In January of 1955 he enlisted in the United States Air Force taking his basic training at Park Air Force Base in San Francisco. He later attended Military Police training and was stationed at Elmendorf AFB in Alaska as a Military Policeman. His area of duty was guarding jet planes and their flight lines. He later was transferred to Buffalo, NY where he was an MP. In November of 1958 he was honorably discharged. In May of 1955, he was united in marriage to Helen Froke. To his union 4 children were born. He worked in sales most of his life including working for over 20 years for the Brown & Williamson Tobacco Co. and King Edward Cigar Co. In August of 1996 he was united in marriage to Sandra (Bruns) Hagstrom at Watertown. Father Murphy as many commonly knew him, has worked for the past 16 years as a shop foreman and sales promoter for the Clark Community Oil Co., retiring on September 30. 2002. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Michaels Catholic Church at Clark. His hobbies included collecting toy tractors, traveling, reading and sports. Many will remember his wit and sense of humor. Survivors include his Wife Sandra of Doland, Mother, Elsie Murphy of Clark, children, Michael Murphy and wife Ann and Duke Murphy all of Sioux Falls, Lisa Lindner and husband Kevin of Watertown and Patrick Murphy of Davis, SD; Brothers, Robert Murphy of Clark and William Murphy of Chicago; stepchildren, Dawn Finstad of Doland, Donnie Hagstrom and wife Jody of Clark, Shawn Moe and husband Jason of Carthage and Shane Hagstrom of DeSmet; 7 grandchildren, Michael, Jr., Ryan and wife Ann, Neil, Aaron and Steffanie Murphy and Toby and Torie Lindner and 6 step-grandchildren, Ashley, Shelby and Taylor Finstad, Gunner Hagstrom and Javen & Jacey Moe.