Donald Leon Murphy

Age 91, recently of Mendota Heights and a longtime resident of Maplewood, passed away on December 23, 2025.

Don was born in St. Paul, grew up in West St. Paul and graduated from South St. Paul High School in 1952. He completed an apprenticeship in carpentry, belonged to Carpenter's Union 87 and worked for Tilsen Construction for much of his career. In 1955 he married Jeanne Benesch, and they were able to celebrate 67 years of marriage prior to her death in 2022.

Don is also preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Hildegarde Murphy, his brother, Neil Murphy and sister, Kathy Feifarek.

He leaves behind four children: Sandy (John) Ostby, Mike (Kristin) Murphy, Connie (Bill) Van Kirk, and Daniel Murphy, as well as thirteen grandchildren, twenty-five great grandchildren, brothers-in-law, Bob Feifarek, Greg Benesch, Mike Mandell and sister-in-law, Mary Jo (Benesch) Mandell, and many nieces and nephews.

Don will be remembered for his love of family, devotion to his Catholic faith, mentoring others in the AA and Calix programs, sharing his carpentry skills, sense of humor, and love of 1940's music. He had an amazing memory of songs his father had played on the piano. He was always on the lookout for a captive audience (waitresses, medical clinic receptionists, Cub Foods checkout workers, care center staff, family gatherings) as a song would pop into his head and off he'd go as if performing on stage. His humor came out in favorite phrases such as, "It's good to see anybody at my age" when greeted or "I'm so dry I'm a fire hazard" in reference to his 55 years of sobriety.

Don's funeral will take place on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at the Church of St. Peter, 2600 Margaret St. N., North St. Paul. Visitation will be from 9:30-11:00 am with Mass at 11:00 am. Burial will follow immediately at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery (North St. Paul). A luncheon will be served at the church following the burial.