Everett L. Murphy, 98

Published 7:01 am Sunday, September 25, 2016

Everett L. Murphy passed away in the hospital from heart failure, a month after celebrating his 98th birthday with his family.

Everett Murphy

He was born to Agnes and Francis Murphy near Lyle, Minnesota, nearly a century ago on Aug. 13, 1918. His mother Agnes died two weeks after Everett’s birth. His grandparents lovingly raised him on the farm, in a house with kerosene lamps and outdoor plumbing. In his high school senior essay, Everett concluded that his achievements were “the ability to do many different jobs on the farm” and he learned “how to treat and get along with different kinds of people.”

After high school, he attended business school in Mankato, Minnesota. Murphy Finance (no relation) offered Everett his first job; the managers recognized his work ethic and outgoing personality. His first job bonus was meeting his future wife at work. World War II interrupted his career for five years; the U.S. Army stationed Everett in San Diego and Hawaii. In January 1944, Ruth Alice Mohn traveled from Minnesota to San Diego for their wedding. Discharged from the Army in 1946 with the rank of Master Sergeant, Everett returned to work for the finance company. He and Ruth lived in Idaho Falls, Duluth, Minnesota, and eventually settled in St. Paul. Their daughter, Mary Jo, was born in Duluth in 1949.

A larger company purchased his employer in 1971 and Everett became the manager of Twin City Coop Credit Union. After successfully placing the credit union on a growth trajectory, Everett retired in 1982. The credit union, renamed Spire, today has over 60,000 members. He and Ruth enjoyed their retirement traveling the country in their motor homes and camping with their granddaughters, Melanie and Shannon. Like many Minnesota snowbirds, the couple discovered the sunny southwest, beginning with Brownsville Texas. The warm skies of Arizona drew them next. Everett lived in Arizona for 20 years before relocating to MorningStar Retirement Community in Boise to be near family.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth. Everett was Ruth’s primary care giver when her health was failing. The couple enjoyed 65 years of marriage.

He is survived by daughter Mary (Dennis) of Meridian; granddaughters Melanie (Jeffrey Evans) of Laramie, Wyoming and Shannon (Jesse) Gray of Meridian; and great-grandchildren Anna and Ethan Gray of Meridian.

A memorial service will be held at MorningStar Retirement Community, Boise, Idaho, at 2:30 p.m. on Sept. 29. Donations in Everett’s memory may be made to Hope Lutheran Church, 331 N. Linder Road, Eagle, Idaho, 83616. Condolences to the family are welcome online at www.bowmanfuneral.com.