Murphy, Esther Small

Esther Small Murphy, 93, of Ankeny, and former longtime resident of West Branch and Iowa City, passed from this life peacefully Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011, in Des Moines. Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, at Memory Gardens Cemetery. The family will greet friends at the American Legion, 3016 Muscatine Ave., following the service. Arrangements are with Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service.

In lieu of flowers, condolences and memorial contributions may be directed to American Legion Post No. 17 Auxiliary or for scholarships at Girls State, P.O. Box 167, Iowa City, IA 52244.

Esther was born Dec. 28, 1917, in Tipton, the daughter of Walter and Margaret Small. She grew up in Springdale and graduated from Springdale High School in 1935. On Dec. 31, 1941, Esther married William H. Murphy. Bill and Esther lived in Iowa City and later moved to West Branch. In 2005, Esther moved to Ankeny to be closer to her son and his family.

Esther worked at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for many years and was a 60 year member of the American Legion Post No. 17 Auxiliary. Esther loved to sew, do crafts and bake. Her crafts, cakes, noodles and cookies were shared with everyone.

Esther will be greatly missed by her son, James (Cheryl) Murphy of Ankeny; grandson, William Murphy of Maryville, Mo.; granddaughter, Sarah (James) Beeman of Ankeny; three great-grandchildren, Brooklyn, Isabella and Greyson Beeman; and her sister, Fern Harris of Tulsa, Okla.

Esther was preceded in death by her loving husband, William H. Murphy in 1977.

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