Martha “Lou” Murphy

PRIOR LAKE, Minn. — Martha “Lou” Murphy, 83, Prior Lake, Minn., formerly of Laurel, died Jan. 4, 2019.

A visitation was Jan. 10 at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, Prior Lake, and continued one hour prior to services Friday.

Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 11 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Prior Lake.

Lou will be laid to rest at Credit River Cemetery. Father Tom Walker will preside.

Martha Lou was born Nov. 1, 1935, to Gustav and Matilda Paulsen in Laurel. She was the youngest of seven children to be raised on the family’s farm. Martha Lou graduated from Laurel High School and attended nursing school in Sioux City, Iowa. While at a college party in Iowa City, Martha Lou caught the eye of a young man, Richard “Dick” Murphy. Despite Dick repeatedly saying her name wrong on their first date, the two hit it off. They exchanged wedding vows May 6, 1961, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, Minneapolis, Minn. Upon moving to Minnesota, Martha Lou began working at Methodist Hospital. When she and Dick began their family, she dedicated herself to being a mother. When her children were grown, Martha Lou returned to nursing. She was the director of nursing at The Nile and Cedar Pines nursing homes. Eventually, Martha Lou began working for the State of Minnesota auditing nursing homes.

Much of Martha Lou’s free time was spent volunteering. A member of the Ladies Auxiliary, she helped with events at the Prior Lake VFW. Martha Lou assisted in blood drives at St. Michael’s and Scott County’s mobile health clinics. In 2016, she received national recognition for her work with Scott County. Martha Lou was one of four recipients awarded the National Medical Reserve Corp Outstanding Public Health Volunteer Award. Martha Lou was truly selfless. She had a servant’s heart and often asked others, “what do you need,” or “how can I help you?”

Martha Lou cared greatly for her family. She was her children’s biggest supporter. She attended all their sporting events and volunteered at their school. When Dick began coaching tee-ball, Martha Lou was there to assist. In the summers, the family spent countless hours at their cabin on Big Bass Lake. In 2002, Martha Lou and Richard sold the cabin and retired in Prior Lake. This gave Martha Lou the opportunity to spend more time with her grandchildren. Just as she did with her own children, Martha Lou attended every school event.

Recently, Martha Lou had begun to text. Her family loved receiving her daily morning text—it was sure to include a teasing remark or two. Martha Lou’s kindness extended beyond her family. She was a friend to everyone. Whether it was Mystic Lake or the VFW, Martha Lou greeted her friends with smile, a laugh or a smart aleck comment. Martha Lou was grateful for her neighbors at Creekside Commons.

Martha Lou is survived by her sons, Mark (Diane) Murphy, Todd (Beth) Murphy; daughter, Tara (Steve) Breivik; grandchildren, Jack, Curt, Connor, Mckenna, Kyle Murphy, Sienna Breivik; sisters, Elizabeth Novell and Adele (Warren) Eidsness; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Martha Lou is preceded in death by her husband, Richard; parents; siblings, Harold Paulsen, Frances “Bud” Paulsen, Charlie Paulsen and Madeline Micklis.