Funeral services for Regina Murphy, 84, of Jefferson will be 10:30 AM Monday January 22, 2007 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jefferson, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9:00 AM- 9:00 PM Sunday at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home, Jefferson. There will be a 3:00 PM Catholic Daughters of the Americas Rosary and 7:00 PM Vigil for the Deceased Sunday evening at the funeral home; family will greet relatives and friends after the Vigil service until 9:00 PM.

Memorials may be made in her name to the American Cancer Society.

Regina Gertrude (Fitzpatrick) Murphy passed peacefully on January 18, 2007; her body tired and her spirit ready. She was born on December 13th, 1922 in Churdan, IA, the second child of Katherine (Sabus) and Thomas C.J. Fitzpatrick. Regina lived her 84 years of life with gusto. Her early years were spent with her family on the farm. She and Sal made school lunches for the younger siblings (they all saved their lunch sacks to reuse!) They baked bread and cakes after school. Regina sewed for Mary and Kathryn and developed her sewing talents.

Regina played guard on Sally’s half-court basketball team and retired each evening to “restful” sleep, sharing a bed with Margaret and Sally. Regina cared for her grandmother Sabus and studied at St. Joe’s academy in Carroll before graduating from Churdan High School.

Regina was united in marriage April 9, 1947 with Leo Murphy, also of Churdan, who preceded her in death in 1971. To this union were born 4 sons and 3 daughters. Regina had a unique relationship with each of her children – blessing each with special gifts and encouragement.

In her career as a registered nurse, Regina served the patients and families at Greene County Medical Center for over four decades. She was a gentle spirit, compassionate and wise in her nursing care. Her legacy is grand.

Regina’s life was rich. She shared her talents with her faith community in the St. Joseph’s Choir, quilting, and actively participating in daily mass and church functions; Regina was truly a servant of the Lord.

Survivors include her seven children; Dennis of Scranton, IA; Margaret (Steve Bock) of Jackson, WY; Danny (Carla) of Sammamish, WA; David (Lina) of Makawao, Maui, HI; Steve of Cottonwood, CA; Martha (Kevin Helin) of La Crosse, WI; and Mary Jo of Polk City, IA. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson.

Surviving siblings are; Pete Fitzpatrick of Manson, IA; Sally (Ed) White of Marshalltown, IA; Margaret (Bob) Vogel of Churdan, IA; Mary Station of Carroll, IA; Sr. Kathryn Fitzpatrick of Dubuque, IA; and Helen (Ray) Stamper of Bakersfield, CA. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Ruth Fitzpatrick of Churdan, IA, Celeste Herd of Kansas, and Rosemary (Murphy) Eason of Battle Creek, IA and brother-in-law, Dick (Mabel) Murphy of Colorado Springs, Co.

Regina was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers; Casey, Leo, Paul and Dick; brother-in-law, Jim Station; sisters-in-law, Pam Fitzpatrick, Renelda Fitzpatrick, Regina Ryan; a special cousin, Mary Anne (Lonergan) Strom, and granddaughter, Shannon Walker.

Regina leaves behind a beautiful circle of golfing and quilting friends, the girl friends of The Uptown Café coffee circle, an extended faith community, traveling partners, and a host of others.

“A life well lived and peace deserved”