Helen Murphy

Helen Murphy

West Des Moines

Helen Murphy, 97, of West Des Moines, formerly of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in West Des Moines.

Helen was born on March 28, 1926, to Leonard and Doris (Beeson) Coe in Guthrie Center, Iowa. She was a graduate from Guthrie Center High School. Following high school, she worked as an administrative assistant at many places such as Bankers Life and LeFebure. Helen was a hard working mother who worked at night at the Red Cross while raising her children. She was a member at St. Matthews Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids for many years.

Helen enjoyed being outdoors and enjoying what nature had to offer. When her children were younger, she liked to take them fishing and on trips. She liked to work in her garden and flower beds. She was a sports fan, but she always rooted for the underdog to win. Helen was always willing to help others and enjoyed being involved in other people’s lives.

Helen is survived by her children, Tonia Nesbit, Frank (Linda) Spagnolo, Linda (Ron) Zern and Jeannette “Jen” (Phil) Spagnolo-Forslund; daughter-in-law, Marcia Spagnolo; sister, Ruby Bowers; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and many extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Louis Spagnolo; son, Curt Spagnolo; and sisters, Olivene Petersen, Laura Nickol and Edna Coe.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, with a visitation taking place one hour prior beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in the Wichita Cemetery near Guthrie Center. Memorial contributions may be directed to UnityPoint Hospice for the wonderful care they provided Helen over the last year. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.caldwellparrish.com.