Karen Murphy

Karen L. Murphy (formerly Karen Dockendorff) died on December 21, 2020, in Washington, Iowa at the age of 78 after a long journey with a brain tumor. She was born on September 13, 1942, in Burlington, Iowa to Elsie and Max Dockendorf. She grew up on a farm near Danville, Iowa and was active in school activities and 4-H, and spent part of every summer detasseling corn. She graduated from Danville High School in 1961 and Iowa State University in 1965. After college, she lived in the villages of India for six months through the International Farm Youth Exchange cultural program. A young female in India representing Iowa was so unique at the time that she was even invited to tea with Indira Gandhi. Before leaving for India, she met Gary (who had traveled to New Zealand through IFYE.) They kept in touch with letters, spent time together upon her return, and married on August 13, 1966. They remained the best team for over fifty-four years. Karen devoted most of her life to her family, friends, and the community of Washington. She loved her children and grandchildren dearly. Her children remember her as a patient, selfless mother who encouraged them to pursue their goals, view the world broadly, travel, work hard, and help others. They took this advice to heart and have tried to follow it in their own lives. Some of the favorite family memories include traveling around the U.S.; train rides to Arizona to visit Karen’s parents; camping with family and friends at Geode Ranch near New London, Iowa; Camp Wyoming family church camp in Wyoming, Iowa; and spending many wonderful summers and holidays together. International travel was important to Karen and Gary and together they enjoyed a multitude of trips, including travels to New Zealand, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and visiting family in both Germany and Ethiopia. Opening her home to guests from all over the world at the home was also a huge part of her life. Karen loved the Washington community and wanted to make it a better place for all that lived or visited here, although very content to play roles behind-the-scenes without needing any acknowledgement. She was active through countless local and state organizations including the United Presbyterian Church, Washington Public Library, Habitat for Humanity, Friends of the Kewash, Washington Betterment Foundation, American Association of University Women, Women of Washington Endowment, local 4-H, Hospice of Washington County, Iowa State University Citizens Advisory Committee, Iowa State 4-H Foundation, and the County Extension Council, holding positions of leadership with most of these organizations. Also, she worked in various auditor, teaching, tutoring, and tax preparer roles for over 30 years in Washington, coordinated funeral dinners at the church and helped kick off the recycling program in the area. Music played an important role in Karen’s life. She loved performing with the local groups “Just Us Girls” and Church Ladies, participating in community theater musicals, and even singing in Carnegie Hall with the Washington Choral Society. These groups brought her great joy and she treasured the friendships she developed while singing. Karen is survived by her loving husband, Gary Murphy of Washington; three children: Derek Murphy (Dorrie) of Bettendorf, Iowa, Janelle Menzia-Murphy (Jess) of Portland, Oregon, and Matt Murphy (Sylvia) of Atlanta, Georgia; seven grandchildren: Sam, Max, Ben, Samantha, Ellie, Elliott, and Atticus; sister, Janice Dockendorff (John Dowdall) of Marion, Iowa and sister-in-law, Frances Jackson of Portland, OR. She is preceded in death by her parents Elsie and Max Dockendorff and her siblings Lyle Dockendorff and Mary Margaret Dockendorff. A graveside service and interment will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington with Pastor Erin Kay officiating. The Jones & Eden Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent for Karen’s family through the web at www.jonesfh.com. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to find a way to give back to the community in which you live in her memory or to donate to the Karen Murphy Memoriam which will be used to contribute to a community cause. A celebration of life will take place at a later date. To view the livesteam, please visit the Jones & Eden Funeral Home Facebook page using the following link: https://www.facebook.com/Jones-Eden-Funeral-Home-119957608060665/ The video will appear at the start of the service.

Karen Murphy

September 13, 1942 - December 21, 2020