Esther Murphy

Funeral Service for Esther Murphy, 80, of Baker, MT, will be 11:00 a. m. , Monday, September 29, 2014, at Baker Community Church with Pastor Neva Rathbun. Burial will follow at Bonnievale Cemetery in Baker. Prayer Service will be 4:00 p. m. , Sunday, September 28, 2014 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Baker. Visitation for Esther will be from 1:00 p. m. to 6:00 p. m. at the chapel. Esther passed away Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at Fallon Medical Complex, Baker. Esther Iva Murphy was born October 5, 1933 to Forrest and Mary (McGee) Williams. She was named after her two grandmothers, Esther Williams and Iva Burghduff. She was raised in Marmarth, ND and graduated from Marmarth high school in 1951. Twelve days later, on May 27, she married her partner for life, Robert J. (Mike) Murphy at the age of seventeen. To this union, eight children were born and only three survived; LaTonne (1953), Dan (1955), and Pat (1959). Due to Diabetes they lost three children; William, Michael, and LaVonne. She moved to the ranch east of Baker, MT, nine miles from home, and was there for sixty years. She fit right in helping with calving, farrowing, and driving the silage truck. After having children, she cooked great meals for the family and any hired man dad would drag home. She was a member of the Baker Community Church her entire married life, a 4-H leader for 30 years, a member of the Historical Society, and a Baker Cowbell’er for several decades. She loved taking pictures, from an old box camera to newer models. She was a great cook, wrote thousands of cards and letters, sewed dresses for neighbor ladies, entered local contests and wrote poetry. Esther is survived by her husband Mike Murphy, daughter; LaTonne Rae “Toni” (Jim) Reetz of Baker, MT, sons; Daniel Van Murphy of Baker, MT, and Patrick James (Cheryl) Murphy of Miles City, MT; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother Myron Williams of Marmarth, ND, and sisters-in-law; Pat Williams of Marmarth, ND and Mary Stark of Baker, MT. She is preceded in death by her parents; sons, Robert Murphy Jr. , John Michael Murphy, William Roy Murphy, and Michael Shaun Murphy; daughter, LaVonne Kaye Murphy; grandsons, John Reetz and Mike Murphy; and brothers Roy Williams and John Williams.


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Burial Date: September 29, 2014
Church Baker Community Church

Funeral Service: Monday: Baker Community Church, Baker, MT