Eileen A. Murphy

May 23, 1934 — May 24, 2017

EILEEN ANNA MURPHY died on May 24, 2017, at Westwood Specialty Care. She was 83 years old. Eileen was born on the family farm in Stanton Township, Plymouth County, Iowa on May 23, 1934. She was the seventh of twelve children born to John James and Mary (Cain) Murphy, Sr. She attended Stanton Township #2 country school until the completion of 4th grade, and continued 5th grade and graduated from St. Joseph School in Le Mars. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, her Master’s degree in Counseling from the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and her Educational Specialist degree in Administration from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Eileen also attended graduate school at the University of Michigan, Creighton University and Iowa State University, as well as various workshops throughout the U.S.

In 1952, Eileen joined the Franciscan Sisters in Dubuque, Iowa. She was a middle school teacher in Granville, Dubuque, Sioux City, Council Bluffs, Blaine, Minnesota and Chicago, Illinois. She was released from vows in 1968, but on March 20, 2002, she was commissioned in Dubuque as an Associate of the Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque. She was a school counselor in Council Bluffs and at Linn-Mar Community School District in Marion, Iowa. From 1976-1980 Eileen was the administrator of a federal grant for Indo-Chinese refugees through Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

For several years Eileen taught teacher education classes for Marycrest College in Davenport, Iowa, and Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa through the Grant Wood Area Education Agency in Coralville, IA. Eileen also conducted workshops on the topics of self-esteem, children at risk and forgiveness. She co-taught classes with Bonnie Malone, assisting teachers and other adults, renewing and making positive changes in their lives. Over the years, Eileen was also involved in education at all levels, from kindergarten to graduate school.

Eileen was a member actively involved in her professional Educational and Counseling organizations. She was elected President of the Iowa Counselors Association in 1976, and was named Executive Director of the Counselors Association from 1989-1992. Eileen has been a member of Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ Parish in Sioux City.

She is survived by one brother: Leo Murphy of Surprise, Arizona; three sisters: Cheryl (Jack) Bartz of Oak Brook, Illinois, Teresa “Terri” Jeffrey of Wayne, Nebraska, and Mary Frances “Fran” Redmond of South Sioux City, Nebraska, and a sister-in-law Mary Murphy of Cherokee, Iowa and a brother-in-law Robert Van Wyhe of Hawarden, Iowa. She is also survived by 27 nieces and nephews, and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Eileen was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, John (Verna) Murphy Jr., Frances (Kay) Murphy, Edward Murphy, Thomas Murphy, Slyvester “Gus” Murphy, sisters, Rose Mary Wan Wyhe, Maureen (Benny) Soules, and brother-in-law, Maurice Redmond.

There will be a visitation on Thursday, June 8 at Meyer Brothers Funeral Home at 6200 Morningside Ave. in Sioux City from 5-7 PM with vigil service at 6:30 PM. A funeral mass will be celebrated at Church of the Nativity 4242 Natalia Way in Sioux City, IA at 10:30 AM on Friday, June 9, with a luncheon immediately following at the Parish Center. Burial will be private at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars.

Memorial donations may be made to: Sisters of St. Francis, 3390 Windsor Drive, Dubuque, Iowa 52001.

Online condolences may be given in the Guestbook for Eileen at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

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