Obituary of Ellen Mary Murphy

Ellen Mary Murphy, 67, died at home on her birthday, Monday, September 9th, 2024, after a tenacious thirteen-year battle with breast cancer.

Ellen was born in La Crosse, WI, the 4th of eight children to Patrick and Patricia (Larkin) Murphy. She was a 1975 graduate of La Crosse Aquinas High School and later went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Ellen enjoyed a distinguished career demonstrating exceptional leadership and expertise culminating in Executive roles for a variety of National Insurance carriers.

“Lollie” was a loving daughter, a warmhearted sister, a very proud auntie/ great auntie and a loyal friend. Her sense of humor, love of donuts and passionate enthusiastic support for a variety of sports teams will forever remain in our hearts. If you knew Ellen Murphy, you undoubtedly have several memories where intense laughter was involved. Her unique “lingo” developed by her and some of her 1975 class members kept us laughing her entire life. Ellen attended countless medical appointments and chemo sessions wearing bright beautiful colors and always bringing a smile regardless of how she felt. The hospital valet, the front desk greeter, the lab staff, the infusion center nurses and staff members at her oncologist office knew Ellen on a personal level because she engaged and cared about them personally.

Ellen is survived by her precious dog Addie, her siblings, Kathy (Joseph) Rademacher of Tucson, AZ, Tim (Myrna) Murphy of Raleigh, NC, Sheila (Michael) Durand of La Crosse, WI, Sue (Doug) Bartel of Woodbury, MN, Mary Pat (Jon) Nydahl of Waconia, MN, and Jane (Mundy Hebert) Murphy of Mound, MN; nieces and nephews, Sara (Kyle) Sucher, Kyle (Emily) Murphy, Jenna (Patrick) Johnston, Megan (Dave) Drohomyreckyj, Tom Durand, Erin, Kelly and Evan Nydahl, and Ava Bartel; great-nieces and nephews, Connor, Morgan and Noelle Johnston, Kyle and Callahan Murphy, Lee and Anna Drohomyreckyj, Brendan, Everly, Savannah and Brody Sucher, her Uncle Tom Murphy of Madison, WI and many special cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Patricia; her father, Patrick; her brother, Jeff and her niece, Michelle Jean Durand.

A Celebration of Life

Friday, October 18th from 1-3pm

Hatchery Riverside, 410 E Veterans Memorial Dr, La Crosse, WI

We are asking those who wish to attend to wear bright colors in honor of Ellen. The Cremation Society of Minnesota has assisted the family with arrangements and a private ceremony will be held at the Catholic Cemetery in La Crosse for the internment of Ellen’s ashes.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the entire staff at the Piper Breast Center in Minneapolis. A special thank you to Dr. Amy Krie, her medical oncologist who undoubtedly gave Ellen precious extra time due to her exceptional knowledge and practical use of that knowledge.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Allina Health Center – Piper Breast Center, the Aquinas Patrick J and Patricia M Murphy Family Scholarship or a personal fund of your choice are requested.

https://www.allinahealth.org/give

https://www.aquinascatholicschools.org/online-giving