Duane L. Murphy

Duane Murphy was born on July 22nd, 1932 in Blue Earth to William and Isabelle (Willette) Murphy. He graduated from Blue Earth High School in 1950 and worked in the area until joining the army in 1954. He was discharged in 1956. He met and married Patricia Farrow on February 6th, 1958 at Sacred Heart Church in Ledyard, Iowa. They farmed in the Blue Earth area until his retirement in 1986. He was a member of the Blue Earth Knights of Columbus, serving as Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight, and was a member of the 4th degree. . He loved to fish and restore 2-cylinder John Deere tractors.He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Mary, brother Clem, sister-in-law Ethel Murphy, and brothers-in-law Don Reed and Gene Nilson.He is survived by his wife, Patricia, daughters Becky (Kevin) Branick, Mona (Tom) Janochoski, son Patrick (Angela), 8 grandchildren: Katie, Connor, and Brendan Branick, Joey, Alex, and Ella Janochoski, and Andy and Adam Murphy. He is also survived by brothers William (Murfreesboro, TN), Gerald (Blue Earth, MN), Harlan (Hayes, KS), Stanley (Reno, NV), Kevin (Blue Earth, MN), sisters Naomi Paul (Easton, MN) and Teresa Reed (Olympia, WA) and by sisters-in law Mary Ellen Nilson of Fonda, Iowa and Barb Lesperance of Mansfield, Texas and many nieces and nephews.