Patricia "Patty" Eileen Murphy

Patricia “Patty” Murphy, 67, entered fully into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, following a courageous forty year battle with Multiple Sclerosis. A visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, with the family present. There will be a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., at Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City. A funeral celebration of her life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Sioux City, with Pastor Travis officiating. Burial will follow at Logan Park Cemetery as well as a luncheon with Patty’s favorites.

Patty was born on January 27, 1958, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Clarence and Edna (Myers) Petersen. She grew up at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where she was baptized, confirmed, and remained a lifelong, faithful member. She attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School, North Middle School, and North High School.

For many years Patty worked at Green Gables Restaurant and later opened her heart and home to dozens of children through her in home daycare. She loved each of her daycare “kids” as if they were her own, showering them with affection, homemade crafts, and the same gentle kindness that defined her life.

On May 4, 1979, she married Tom Murphy at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. The two were married for 31 years. Patty’s love for her family never wavered.

Above all, Patty was a woman of unshakable faith. Multiple Sclerosis slowly took her physical strength, but it could never touch her spirit or her trust in God. She cherished every church service she was able to attend, lit up when Pastor Kenny or friends stopped by to visit and talk about Jesus, and found deep peace in the promise of eternal life. Even in her final days, her sweet smile reminded everyone around her of the joy that comes from knowing Christ.

Patty’s life was a beautiful testimony of grace in suffering, love without limit, and faith that never faltered. She will be deeply missed, yet we rejoice knowing she is now whole, and forever in the arms of her Savior.

Patty is survived by her children, Becky (Matt) Granstrom of Dakota Dunes, SD, and Bobby Murphy of Brooklyn, NY; her cherished grandchildren, Reagan and Mason Granstrom; her siblings, Linda M. Benjamin of Sergeant Bluff, IA and Marlene (Larry G.) Herbst of Bronson, IA; many treasured nieces and nephews; and dear friends Vicki Sandvick, Carla Granstrom, and Joni Couglon who were like sisters to her.

She was welcomed home by her parents, Clarence and Edna Petersen; her father-in-law Bill Murphy and mother-in-law Joyce Murphy; two infant sisters, Dianne and Cheryl; brothers Larry Petersen, Edward Petersen, and Stanley Petersen; sisters-in-law Janet Petersen and Marsha Murphy; and brother-in-law Armond Benjamin.

Thank you to the staff of St. Croix Hospice, Care Initiatives Hospice, and Embassy Rehab and Care Center for more than 23 years of dedicated care. A special thank you to her medical providers and their staff, Dr. Steven Shook, Dr. Jeffrey Krohn, and most recently Nurse Practitioner Kelly Bean for the wonderful care they provided all these years.

Pallbearers will be Matt and Mason Granstrom, Tom Murphy, Dave Sandvick, Paul Tullis, and Jim Fenceroy. Honorary pallbearers are Marlene and Larry Herbst, Linda Benjamin, and Dave Hansen.