Gerald Murphy

Funeral Service: Saturday, March 12, 2011 at First Lutheran Church, Circle, MT at 2:00 p.m.

Inurnment: Will follow the service at the Riverview Cemetery, Circle, MT

Gerald E. Murphy, age 81, of Circle, MT passed on to our eternal heavenly Father on March 4, 2011 on the family farm he so dearly loved.

Gerald was born to Archie and Gladys (Peterson) Murphy on January 20, 1930 in Circle, MT. He grew up on the family farm west of Circle, with his sister Alice. He rode his horse to attend school at Stoney Butte country school and graduated from Circle High School with the class of 1948. He attended Eastern Montana College briefly before being drafted into the U.S. Army. He was a part of the Big Red One during the occupational force in Germany after WWII. He was stationed in Erlangen, Germany. On April 30, 1954, while on furlough, he married Rae Carol Marsh at the Moneydig Presbyterian Church, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland with his Uncle John & Aunt Sadie standing in as witnesses. After discharge from the army, Gerald & Rae settled on the family ranch to continue raising sheep, cattle and grains. Gerald was a lifelong member of the First Lutheran Church of Circle, the church of his baptism and confirmation, VFW Post #4813. He was a member of the Cottonwood Country Club in Glendive, MT. Gerald & Rae became avid golfers in their early fifties and spent many winters in Lake Havesu, AZ, golfing and enjoying the warm weather. He was lucky enough to acquire two holes-in-one, which he was very proud of!!

Gerald is survived by his wife of 57 years, Rae of Circle; son, Kim (Patti) Murphy, of the family farm in Circle; daughter, Dina (Mick) Davis of Great Falls, MT; twins, Jill (Brad) Pinnick and Jere (PreElla) Murphy, both of Billings, MT; and daughter, Joni (Mike) Garpestad of Glendive, MT; grandchildren, Danielle (Nathan) Courtnage, Sarah (Travis) Wald, Brett (Kalli) Murphy, Alicia (Josh Haynes) Davis, Jenay (Elliot) Cross, Brook Murphy, Hannah Murphy, Gunnar Garpestad and Ryar Garpestad; his blessings of great-grandchildren that he thought he would never see, Jaylen & Madelyn Murphy and Cairan & Ainsley Courtnage. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Alice Murphy Hamman; brother-in-law, Red Hamman; and granddaughter, Michelle Lee Murphy.

Gerald loved all sports in general. He was an avid follower of his beloved Circle Wildcats; especially when his children and grandchildren played!

Gerald will be laid to rest on Saturday, March 12 at First Lutheran Church in Circle at 2:00 p.m. Should friends and family desire, memorials may be made to the First Lutheran Church stained glass window fund.Condolences may be sent to the family atwww.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.