Helen E. Murphy, 96

Helen E. Murphy, 96, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2005, at Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell. She was born in Holt County, near Mound City, Mo., to George W. and Anna E. (Buetzer) Nauman on May 21, 1909. She was the oldest of 11 children.

Helen graduated from high school in Mound City and attended college in Peru, Nebraska. She taught in the Mound City area.

In October 1935 she married Robert C. Weller and moved with him back to his family hometown of Whitefish. They moved to Lake McGregor where she taught school. They moved to Kalispell in 1944.

Helen taught school at the Lakeside school. In 1946 she went to work for Gambles in the office. She worked there as office manager for over 20 years. She left Gambles briefly to teach in Coram.

During her working years she was a member and a president of Business and Professional Woman and Soroptimists.

She had been a long-time member of Central Christian Church (DOC). She joined a congregation of the church when she was in Missouri and later became a member in Kalispell.

She was also a member of the Eagles auxiliary.

Helen and Mr. Weller divorced in 1955. In 1956 she married Homer Cady. Mr. Cady passed away suddenly in 1963. In 1966 she married William Murphy. Mr. Murphy passed away in 1995.

Besides two husbands, and a brother and a sister that died in infancy, Helen was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Evelyn Boreson and Inez Gilbert; and two brothers, Woodrow Nauman and Jack Nauman.

She is survived by her daughter, Roberta Weller Gould, and husband, Bill Gould, of Kalispell; grandsons, David Gilbertson of Bellingham, Wash., and Bryan Gilbertson and wife Anita of Kalispell; granddaughter, Danna Zahller, of Spokane; sisters, Georgia Frank of Tucson, Ariz., Mildred Estey of Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., and Betty Iverson of Spokane; brother, Pete Nauman of Mound City, Mo.; six grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and many good and faithful friends who will all miss her greatly.

Family suggests donations be made to Immanuel Lutheran Home, 185 Crestline, Kalispell, MT 59901; or Flathead Valley Community College, Attn.: College Relations, 777 Grandview Dr., Kalispell, MT 59901; or Hospice Home Health Options, 175 Commons Loop, Ste. 100, Kalispell, MT 59901; or Central Christian Church, P.O. Box 955, Kalispell, MT 59903.

Services will be announced at a later date.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Ralph's family.