Aberdeen, South Dakota
Aberdeen: Mass of Christian Burial for Bernetta "Bernie" Murphy, 73, of Aberdeen will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011, at Sacred Heart Catholic church, Aberdeen. Father Kevin Zilverberg will be officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Schriver's Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.
Liturgical wake service will be 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011, at the mortuary. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the mortuary and
one hour before the service Thursday at the church. Friends may sign her online guest book at www.schrivers memorial.com.
Bernetta passed away Friday, Dec. 31, 2010, at Aberdeen Health and Rehab. Bernetta Marie Wattier was born Sept. 11, 1937, to Lorraine
"Buster" and Mildred (Hanson) Wattier at Bristol, S.D., where she was raised and graduated from Bristol High School in May 1955.
Bernie married Henry Richard Murphy on Sept. 21, 1957, in Bristol. They made their home in Aberdeen. Bernie was employed with Kmart for many years. Henry passed away in December 1996 and she continued to make Aberdeen her home.
Bernie was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic church for many years, she was a member of the Sacred Heart Altar Society Band 8 and sang in
the church choir.
Bernie enjoyed the outdoors, going on daily walks, and she also enjoyed reading.
Surviving Bernie are four sons, Lt. Col. Dennis (Jerrie) Murphy stationed in Bagram, Afganistan, residing in Belleville, Ill., Patrick (Cathie) Murphy of Aberdeen, Richard (Jana) Murphy of Spring Hill, Fla., and Randy Murphy of Aberdeen; two daughters, Jill (Paul) Kemnitz of Platte, S.D., and Kelly Ferner of Sioux City, Iowa; one brother, Larry (Leona) Wattier of Langford, S.D.; two sisters, JoAnne McHugh of Portland, Maine, and Lynne Minninger of Bellingham, Wash.; and 13 grandchildren.
Bernie was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
This obituary was originally published in the Aberdeen American News.
I grew up hanging around the Murphy house as a kid. Played a lot of neighborhood baseball with the Murphy boys. I was treated very well by everyone in the entire family. I have wonderful memories of hanging out in a great neighborhood. I still drink Murphy water. God bless all of you.
Tom Oliver
December 30, 2022 | Lincoln, NE | Friend
Dennis, Pat and Murphy family.Sorry to hear about your mom's passing. I have many happy memories when I was a kid playing ball and just hanging out at your house. God Bless.
Tom Oliver
January 12, 2011 | Anthem, AZ
Jill, Kelly, Randy and family, I am so sorry to hear of your mother's passing. My condolences to all of you. Both your mom and dad were wonderful people... your home was always such a welcoming place to be when we were young.
Vicky Hanson
Sioux Falls, SD
January 09, 2011
Pat, Randy and Murphy family, we are very sorry to hear about your mom's passing. From the wonderful family we have come to know, she and your father raised a beautiful group of children. May those happy memories sustain you now. God Bless, and prayers be with you. Cathy and Bill Jacobson
Bill Jacobson
January 07, 2011 | Aberdeen, SD
Bernetta was like a mother to me. I have too many memories to share in this space. A couple of years ago we had a drink at Lagers with most of her kids. We laughed as we remembered earlier times. I watched your health decline this past summer and fall. It was heart-wrenching. I spent so many days and nights at the Murphy home. I will remember you for the rest of my life. God Bless the Murphy Family... My Extended Family!
Shelly (Kaul) Grandbois
January 05, 2011 | Inver Grove Heights, MN
My condolences to all of Bernies family .Her kids are so blessed to have had such a good loving mother.She will definitely walk with the angels.Cherish all the fond memories of her.
Terri ( Hatzenbeller ) Suhr
January 05, 2011 | Sioux Falls, SD
I am so sorry to hear of Bernetta's passing, she was my best friend for 4 years of high school, I came into town from a country school, and she introduced herself the first day, and signed me up for band, took me to all the ball games, taught me to dance, and made me feel more comfortable in a big (20 people!) class. I have thought of her often over the years, and am so sad at her passing. My sympathy to all the family. Merry Watters, Jackson, MN
January 05, 2011
my sympathy to the family. lee schinkel, groton
lee schinkel
January 05, 2011 | Groton, SD
My heart aches when I think about losing a life long friend. My sympathy to all family members.
Alice Jean Peterson
January 05, 2011 | Bristol, SD