Dennis Murphy

Dennis Murphy, age 83 of Milbank died August 27, 2016, at the Milbank Area Hospital – Avera Health.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, August 31 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank. Father Gary DeRouchey will officiate and burial will be at a later date in the Milbank Cemetery.

Visitation will be at Mundwiler Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 30 beginning at 5 p.m. followed by a prayer vigil at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Wednesday, one hour prior to the Mass.

Military honors will be provided by American Legion, Birch-Miller Post #9, V.F.W. Grant County Post #3486, V.V.A. Northeast SD Chapter #1054, and D.A.V. Chapter#19.

Casket bearers will be his grandchildren: Ashley Murphy, Jacob Murphy, Makayla Tepper, Sharlona Murphy, KeAnna Murphy, Ciara Murphy, Aarron Schuelke, and Jeremy Schuelke. Honorary bearers will be all his nieces, nephews, friends, and co-workers.

Dennis John Murphy was born October 7, 1932, at Glencoe, MN. He was the son of Urban and Alice Mae (Courtney) Murphy. He left his family home at age 17 and worked for electrical companies, traveling with the union.

Dennis served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He was drafted on March 4, 1953, in Minneapolis, MN. He served with the 11th Field Artillery Battalion and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Ribbon, and United Nations Service Medal. Dennis was honorably discharged on December 28, 1954.

Dennis returned to Minnesota and was united in marriage with Phyllis Schley on June 14, 1958, at Incarnation Church, Minneapolis, MN. Dennis and Phyllis lived in Minneapolis for 50 years. They were blessed with three children: Douglas, Wayne, and Debra. In 1997 Dennis and Phyllis moved to Milbank, SD and have since resided.

Dennis worked for the postal service for 16 years and for the power company for 15 years. Most recently he worked for the City of Milbank as the cemetery grounds keeper. Ill health forced his retirement.

Dennis was a faithful member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church where he served as an usher. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed hunting during his younger years. He and Phyllis enjoyed traveling and visited Alaska and Hawaii, as well as taken several bus trips. A family cruise was a special joy and cherished memory.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 58 years, Phyllis Murphy of Milbank, SD; his children: Douglas (Vicky) Murphy of Lakeville, MN; Wayne (Kim) Murphy of Minneapolis, MN; Debra (Jim) Schuelke of Milbank, SD; eight grandchildren; one great-granddaughter, Adalynn Murphy; two sisters: Margaret Bisson of Oklahoma City, OK; Mary Ellen Murphy of Minneapolis, MN; two brothers: Pat (Liz) Murphy of Brandon, SD; Richard (Diane) Murphy of New Ulm, MN.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Jane; and one brother-in-law, Dick Bisson.