Mercedes Murphy

Mercedes Ida Lund was born June 18, 1915 in Lafayette, MN to Ida (Brandt) and Fred Lund. She was baptized and confirmed. She learned to play the piano from her mother who played for local silent movie theaters. She liked to travel in her younger years, enjoyed the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago and stayed with relatives in the Illinois area for a couple years, graduating from Batavia Illinois High School in 1933, On July 12, 1941, she and Jerome (Jerry) Murphy were married and, after a short residency in Minneapolis, they moved to Marshall. In 1956 the family moved to southern California. They returned to Marshall three years later, bringing with them their new found fondness for tacos. In the years that followed, Mickie and Jerry hosted many fun taco parties at their auto body shop for friends, neighbors and family. Music was an integral part of her life. Over the years, she played piano in various bands including the Charley Burt band and for a while, also played the piano bar in the Four Seasons restaurant/bar in the Market Street Mall, impressing college students of the 80's with her rag time rhythms. She accompanied a group of area women from Marshall and Milroy who called themselves the M&Ms and they traveled to area nursing homes and senior centers to perform. Mickie's own "Kit Klat" - Kitchen Klatter Band followed later. Mickie volunteered fixing hair for nursing home residents for years and was very proud to receive the WCCO radio good neighbor award in 1969 and more recently Marshall's first Spirit of Community Award recognizing her community services. In the early mornings, it was not uncommon to see her hiking to Hardees or Perkins here in Marshall for morning coffee. She loved walking, summer or winter, and in her later years would (to the frustration of her family) be seen out mowing her lawn or shoveling snow. "Oh, it's good for me!" was always her response...with a grin and a twinkle. Mercedes passed away on Friday, September 24th, 2010 at Prairie Home Hospice in Marshall at the age of 95 years, 3 months, and 6 days. Mercedes was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jerry, brothers Robert (and Gertrude) Lund and Douglas (and Blanche) Lund. She is survived by her son, Larry (Gail) Murphy of Marshall, daughter Marilyn (James) Cortright of San Diego, CA, four grandchildren - Melanie (Chad) McDonald of Prior Lake, MN, Melissa (Dustin) Showers of Oak Harbor, WA, Michael (Randi) Murphy of Harrisburg, SD, and Michelle Deutschlander of Marshall. She is also survived by 9 great-grandchildren - Jayde and Taylor McDonald, Autumn, Dominic, and Heidi Showers, Caitlin and Owen Murphy, and Dylan and Evelyn Deutschlander and many nieces and nephews. The memories Mercedes created will be cherished by all who knew her!