Steven Andrew Murphy

Steven Andrew Murphy passed away at home after a courageous battle with cancer on May 20, 2014. We were lucky to have this beautiful soul for the short time he was with us. He was the heart of our family and the definition of kindness, generosity and love. The only thing Steve loved more than a good joke or a good beer was sharing them with family and friends. Especially at hockey games or over a game of cards. Steve was the middle of seven children born on May 26, 1953 in Lompoc, CA to Jim and Winnifred (Strandberg) Murphy. He graduated from Cando High School in 1971. He attended Minot State College and graduated from North Dakota State School of Science in 1974. He worked in Fargo, ND; Fertile, MN and Cando, ND before making his home in Grand Forks, ND. He was employed at Braseth Plumbing and Heating as a journeyman plumber in Grand Forks, ND in the early 1980s. In 1988, Steve joined the staff at Northwood Deaconess Health Center, where he worked for twenty years. He left Northwood Deaconess as the head of maintenance and housekeeping in 2008, unfortunately - they still hadn't replaced the boiler. Most recently he was employed by Edgewood Vista Corporation and Ye Ol' Painters until his retirement for health reasons in 2011. Steve was the hardest working man we know; he was always moonlighting and helping others with home improvement projects and was proud that he passed his work ethic on to his children. He married Cassie Ann Hilts on July 4, 1978 at Sacred Heart Church in Cando, ND. They divorced in 1985 yet remained lifelong, devoted friends. He is survived by numerous loved ones including Sharon Ericson, Brian Haugen, Jamie Hillesland and "The Northwood Crew", as well as Gary Kokran and "The Ye Ol' Painter Crew". He is survived by his numerous friends, including Terry DeMars and Jamison Hilts and all of his friends from "The Neighborhood Crew", old and new. He is survived by his most beloved mother, Winnifred Penfield (Fargo, ND) and her husband Ferde. They were so close; he often referred to himself as her favorite son and frequently reminded his siblings of this imaginary status in the family. He is survived by his siblings: Marilyn Murphy (Minot, ND), Janet Murphy (Fargo, ND), Bill (Patti) Murphy (Fargo, ND), Nancy Murphy (Minot, ND), Dan (Marti) Murphy (Memphis, TN) and Karla Murphy (Missoula, MT). He is survived by two nieces, Carly Hearn (Fargo, ND) and Jennifer Murphy (Bismarck, ND - currently serving in Afghanistan) and one great-niece, McCartney Jundt (Fargo, ND). Steve was very close to his siblings, they vacation together nearly every year and they are now at a loss as to who will fix their plumbing and help them paint. Steve is survived by his daughter, Meegan Murphy and his oldest grandchild, Gillian Hoffmann (9) of Grand Forks, ND. Steve and Gillian were the best of friends and were known to frequently go on walks to gather sticks, attend UND hockey games, re-paint rooms in his house, and to eat ice cream. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Andrew and Kaela (Runck) Murphy of St. Paul, MN as well as their two adorable children, Aiden (3) and Quinn (1). Steve and Aiden will forever share their love for a 2001 cherry red Dodge Dakota pickup truck. Steve did not have much time to get to know little Quinn, but she captured his heart the moment he set eyes on her and we know he would have shared his love for ice cream if he'd had more time. Steve is preceded in death by his father, Jim Murphy. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family would appreciate donations to the Filling The Gap program at Altru Cancer Center. Filling the Gap is a grant program made available by charitable donations, designed to lessen the financial burden of patients with cancer and their families. Both of these funds provide support in the areas not commonly covered by insurance, making a great difference for those in need. Altru Health Foundation P.O. Box 6002 Grand Forks, ND 58206-6002 http://www.altru.org/services/cancer/support 701.780.1827 We will be forever grateful to Dr. Dentchev, the nurses, and the staff at Altru Cancer Center and Altru Hospital for their help in navigating this difficult path. MEMORIAL MASS: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 27 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Grand Forks. VISITATION: 5:00 - 7:00 with a 7pm prayer service Monday, May 26, at Amundson Funeral Home 2975 S. 42nd St. Grand Forks, ND 58201. Visitation will continue for the hour prior to the service at the church. A guestbook may be signed or viewed at www.amundsonfuneralhome.com