Mary Lou Murphy of Belle Plaine, MN, has passed away, leaving behind a family and community who loved her dearly.
Below, the simplest tribute: the truth of a life as it was lived.
Some legacies are not written; they walk the earth, named after those who came before.
Mary Lou Murphy passed away on April 29, 2026. She was most recently a resident at Savage Senior Living at Fen Pointe in Savage, Minnesota.
She was born on March 28, 1941, to Michael and Agnes Flaherty and grew up on a family farm outside Belle Plaine, Minnesota. From an early age, she was known for her compassion and strong sense of responsibility-qualities that would define her throughout her life. She graduated from Belle Plaine High School in 1958, where she was an active, high-performing student. A scholarship allowed her to attend and complete her nursing training at St. Mary's School of Nursing in Minneapolis.
In 1962, she married her high school sweetheart, Bob Murphy, beginning a 63-year partnership rooted in faith and enduring commitment. In time, they moved to Burnsville and together raised four children and built a family grounded in support, shared values, and showing up for one another. She took great joy in her eight grandchildren, her great-grandson, and eagerly anticipated the arrival of her great-granddaughter.
Mary Lou devoted more than 45 years to nursing, most of it in intensive care, beginning at St. Mary's Hospital in Minneapolis and retiring from Fairview Southdale. Nursing was not just her profession but her calling. She cared for patients with calm, skill, and deep compassion, and carried that same approach into her daily life-giving insulin shots to a neighbor, checking blood pressure for friends, and tending to those in need. A tireless worker, she was known for her persistence and willingness to do whatever was needed, both on and off the clock.
Her life was guided by her Catholic faith, practiced not just in words but in action. She believed in the power of prayer, in using one's gifts to serve others, and in the simple principle of treating people with kindness and dignity. A longtime member of St. John the Baptist parish, she contributed in both visible and behind-the-scenes ways, including organizing the book shop, initiating the Baccalaureate Mass, and volunteering as a Faith Formation teacher and Befriender.
At home, she was a steady and grounding presence. A devoted mother-never showy, never overbearing, but always there-she encouraged her children to try new things, develop their talents, and contribute meaningfully. She led by example, instilling the value of hard work, persistence, and follow-through. Her guiding ethic was simple: see what needs to be done, and do it.
Time with family brought her the most joy-attending school activities, games, and performances, baking cookies, hosting gatherings, and carrying on traditions. Being together was what mattered most.
She is survived by her husband, Bob Murphy; her children, Jim Murphy (Melissa Murphy), Molly Murphy, Patty Moening (Colin Moening), Bridget Murphy (Larry Storey); her grandchildren, Connor Murphy (Ellie Murphy), Mark Moening (Rachel Wood), Mackenzie Smith (Alex Smith), Sean Moening (Kassie Hanson), Kira Johansen, Sarah Moening, Winnie Storey, and Lucille Storey; her great-grandchild, Seamus Smith; and her brothers Michael Pat Flaherty (Joan Laranjo) and Jerome Flaherty (Beth Flaherty). She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Kevin Flaherty, and sister Kathleen Burton.
Family and friends are invited to gather for a visitation on Friday, May 15 at 9:30 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM at St. John the Baptist in Savage. Luncheon will follow the Mass at church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. John the Baptist and American Cancer Society.
Mary Lou will be remembered for phone calls to check in, her cherry pie with the flakiest crust, her grit, and the way she showed up-again and again-for the people in her life.
