Kenneth Edward Murphy

Kenneth Edward Murphy, age 83, of South St. Paul, MN, formerly St. Paul, MN, passed away Saturday, July 21, 2018. Kenneth was born in Palmer, MN to Edward and Ethel Murphy, his family moved to several cities as far away as Oklahoma until finally settling in St. Paul. The oldest of four children, his father passed away when he was just a boy. After High School, Ken joined the United States Army and quickly rose to Staff Sgt. in the 101st and 508th Airborne Div. He was honorably discharged in 1955 and soon after married Hermine Hoeger. They settled in South St. Paul where they raised their four children. Ken tried his hand as an accountant for Swifts/Armour and as a milkman with the Sanitary before he joined the Inver Grove Heights Police Department, where he remained for the next 28 years until his retirement. Among his many hobbies, he loved bee keeping, teaching gun safety, fishing, woodcarving, ship building, wine and beer making, nature and wildlife, gardening and many more. He loved to share his knowledge and hobbies with anyone who would listen. His greatest joys were his 9 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; his Irish heritage, and most of all, his wife of 63 years. His main concern throughout his brave battle was that she would be taken care of. They traveled extensively, all over the world and always looked forward to the next great adventure. Their love inspired many, and right to the end her touch soothed him the most. He was many things - son, brother, uncle, husband, father, Papa, and friend, and will be remembered with great respect and sorely missed.

Ken is survived by his wife Hermine (Hoeger) Murphy; children, Michael Kenneth, Kristy Marie (Wayne), Timothy Patrick (Theresa) and Terrence James (Maryann); sister Lorena (Murphy) Handt; 9 grandchildren, Brandon, Meghan (Andrew), Jessica, Zachary, Julianna, Andrea, Nicholas, Joshua and Jacob; 5 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his daughter Kathleen Patricia; parents Edward and Ethel; and brothers Donald and Robert.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Thursday, August 2, from 5-8PM at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 7600 Cahill Ave E, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076. Interment will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery on Friday, August 3.