Kelly Murphy

Kelly Charles Murphy was born April 24, 1960, the son of Eugene and Ellie Arthur Murphy. He left this earth on Tuesday, October 15, 2013, after battling cancer, at his home in Vail, Iowa, at the age of 53.
Kelly received his education in the Dunlap Community Schools graduating with the class of 1978. After he graduated he worked for Fouts Construction, Dubuque, and Farmland. He also worked at Denison HyVee for nine years and was a self-employed carpenter.
Kelly was the youngest boy of a large family of five brothers and three sisters. He grew up with a playful attitude toward his family and a deep sense of honesty. On September 24, 2013, Kelly was united in marriage to his partner of twelve years, Lois Slechta.
Kelly was a very social guy and valued time spent with family and friends, especially his nieces and nephews. When his grandkids visited, he always had a treat for them. Kelly enjoyed sports and was a die-hard Notre Dame football and Miami Dolphins football fan. He was the center for his high school football team. Kelly loved to play golf and was a member at the M & M Golf Course. He was a member of the 1983 Dunlap softball team that played against The King and His Court. Kelly could field ground balls with ease, but when it came to fly balls he just looked up and thought “now what?”
Kelly’s woodworking craftsmanship was remarkable and he could make anything out of wood. He made picture frames, shadow boxes, or anything anyone requested. A few weeks ago he went to work in his shop and made “Lazy Susans” for his mother and each of his siblings to cherish as a momento of him. He is leaving his shop intact for his friend to use his tools, but requested one side of the garage be kept clear for Lois to park her car there. He was a kind and considerate man always thinking of others, offering assistance to anyone that needed help.
The rosary in Kelly’s hands came from the Vatican and he has a medal that was blessed by the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI.
Kelly was preceded in death by his father, Gene in 1980, and a niece, Chrissy who also went to heaven on October 15 in 1981. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Lois of Vail, Iowa; stepchildren: Angele Boehm of Denison; Billie McCartney and her husband, David of Charter Oak; Aaron Nelson and his wife, Tiffany of Vail; and Tracy Vogl and her husband, Chad of Halbur, Iowa; nine step-grandchildren; his mother, Ellie Murphy of Dunlap, Iowa; five brothers: Barney Murphy and his wife, Betty; Mike Murphy and his wife, Cathy; all of Dunlap; Wally Murphy and his wife, Anita; and Eddie Murphy; all of Omaha, Nebraska; and Clancy Murphy and his wife, Karol of Dunlap; three sisters: Lorraine Houston and her husband, Kenny; Ann Behrendt and her husband, Dennis; and Mary Fouts and her husband, Ronnie; all of Dunlap; his mother-in-law, Esther Slechta of Denison; numerous nephews and nieces; other relatives and friends.