Harriet J. Murphy
Harriet J. Murphy, age 95, of Fond du Lac, passed away on April 19, 2017 at Grancare Nursing Home, where she had resided for two years. Harriet was born on August 25, 1921 at the family farm home on Rienzi Road, Fond du Lac, to Samuel C. Stanchfield and Bertha (Gillis) Stanchfield.
As a young woman, she was very involved in 4-H, raising and showing cattle. She went to work at an early age. After WWII she met Joseph P. Murphy. They married on Nov. 27, 1948 and enjoyed 60 years together, raising six children. They dairy farmed, first, near Fond du Lac and then for many years at Campbellsport. Upon retirement, they moved to their “lakehouse” on Lake Bernice.
Harriet served in the elected position of Town Clerk of Ashford for 14 years. She was a long-time member of FDL County Homemakers. She and Joe were active as leaders in Campbellsport 4-H Club for many years. The two of them enjoyed traveling around the U.S., especially to reunions of Joe’s WWII Army Air Corps squadron.
Throughout her life, Harriet was an excellent seamstress and quilter, making quilts for all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a creative and talented artist who did rosemaling, landscape painting and china painting. She painted hundreds of china pieces for gifts and her own enjoyment. As her eyesight started to fail, she took up knitting baby caps for the hospital and colorful dishcloths for family and friends. Always an avid reader, she got one of the first Kindles. In her 80s, she got a computer and used it daily for keeping up with family, shopping online and playing card games.
She is further survived by her sister, Ruth Smith; brother, George (Carol) Stanchfield; sisters-in-law, Ann Stanchfield and Sandy Murphy as well as cousins, nieces and nephews.
Harriet was preceded in death by her husband, Joe, on Nov. 4, 2008; sons, Daniel and William Murphy; brothers, Eugene and John Stanchfield; sister, Virginia Willis, as well as many brothers- and sisters-in-law.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 24, 2017 at 11:00 AM at St. Martin Church, Ashford, with the Rev. Mark Jones officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Luncheon to follow in the church hall. Burial will be at Ledgeview Cemetery in Fond du Lac.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the nurses and staff at Grancare Nursing Center for the compassionate care given to Harriet while she was there.
Twohig Funeral Home is serving the family with online condolences and guestbook at www.twohigfunerals.com