"Kit, Joni and Family, My Sincere Sympathy to all of you. I will always treasure the fond memories I have of the Murphy Family. With Love, Mary Moeller"
In loving memory of
Michele Louise Murphy
January 1, 1948 - December 11, 2020
Michele Louise Murphy of Ames passed away peacefully December 11, 2020. A private interment will be held at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Fort Madison in the future.
On January 1, 1948, Michele Louise Murphy was born in Saint Louis to Dr. and Mrs. Robert E. Murphy. The family moved to Dallas, Texas; Wurzburg, Germany; Detroit, Michigan; and finally settled in Fort Madison, Iowa in 1955. Michele spent her childhood involved in musical theatre productions and scholarly pursuits at Aquinas High School, having adventures with her friends, relishing any chance to dress up, and antagonizing her two younger sisters, Kit and Joni.
Michele completed her Bachelor's Degree in Communicative Disorders at Saint Louis University, her Master's Degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology at the University of Iowa, and her post-graduate work in organic speech pathologies at the University of Wisconsin. Her speech pathology career began in the Fort Dodge Hospital with brain injury and stroke patients, then took her to Waterloo where Michele worked in the Area Education Agency with school-aged children at several schools. She continued to learn and share her knowledge throughout her career with roles as lecturer at universities, board member of professional associations, as mentor and researcher.
In her personal life, Michele had a real thirst for knowledge, enjoyed stage performances, had an affinity for teddy bears, and loved to travel. She enjoyed trips with her family members to various locations including Hawaii, the Caribbean, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. She was also an active leader in the women's T.T.T. Society. Michele cherished time with family, especially summers with her mom in Ft. Madison and her "special days," visits, and travels with nieces and nephews. In her retirement, Michele moved to Ames and loved being close to family.
Michele was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Robert Murphy and Agnes "Jimmie" (Menges) Murphy. She is survived by her sisters Kathleen Krogmeier of Ames, Iowa, and Joan Stevens (husband Kent, deceased) of Galesburg, Illinois; nieces and nephews James Krogmeier (wife Rebecca Schultz) of Oro Valley, AZ, Katherine McWaters (husband Phillip) of Loveland, Ohio, Robert Krogmeier and Lisa Bickelhaupt (husband Nicholas) of Ames, Iowa, Audra Stevens (husband Warner Delashmutt) of Galesburg, Illinois, and Andrew Stevens of Oskaloosa, Iowa; great nieces and nephews Mason Krogmeier, Grant McWaters, Julia McWaters, Gavin McWaters, Stella Bickelhaupt, Carter Bickelhaupt, and Jake Delashmutt.
In lieu of flowers, those considering a contribution to Michele's memory may direct memorials to Raising Readers in Story County at raising-readers.org or RRSC at P.O. Box 2374, Ames, IA 50010.
Tributes
"Kit, Joanie and family, My heart and many prayers are with all of you. It seems like yesterday thinking about all of the fun we had growing up in Fort Madison. I especially remember playing Canasta a lot which I am sure Mikey won most of the time! RIP Michele. Hugs to you all! Joyce Helling Vance"