Genevieve Murphy

Genevieve Murphy, age 91, of Alexandria, died peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at Alomere Health in Alexandria.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Church of St. Mary in Alexandria. Private family interment will take place on a later date at Calvary Cemetery, Morris.

Visitation will begin with parish prayers at 4:30 p.m. and conclude at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 23rd, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

Genevieve was born on April 23, 1933, to Marco Sr. and Emma (Faisca) Torres in Kohala, Hawaii. She attended elementary school in Halaula and graduated from Kohala High School in 1950, where she was honored with the Most Outstanding Graduate Award. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of Hawaii and completed a fifth-year Teaching Certificate in 1955.

Genevieve was united in marriage to George M. Murphy on July 2, 1955, in Kohala. The couple made their home in Morris, where Genevieve stayed home to raise their children. They later moved briefly to Cottage Grove, Wisconsin, before settling in New London, Wisconsin, where Genevieve began her teaching career. She taught Kindergarten for seven years before the family moved to Menomonie, Wisconsin, in 1973. There, she continued her teaching career in First Grade and, in 1985, earned her master’s degree in Professional Development from the University of Wisconsin–Stout—all while continuing to teach. She retired from education in 1996.

Throughout their life together they shared a love of ballroom dancing and golf, enjoying both from the 1960s through Genevieve’s final round in 2019. They also loved playing bridge and were members of multiple bridge clubs, Genevieve continuing to play regularly up until just a month ago. After George’s passing in 2014, Genevieve remained in Menomonie until 2016, when she moved to Grand Arbor in Alexandria. While living at Grand Arbor, Genevieve remained vibrant and engaged, playing daily games of Bananagrams and singing in the Grand Arbor Choir.

She was known for her social spirit, boundless energy, had a remarkable photographic memory, and was a natural storyteller. Above all, Genevieve treasured her family. She loved traveling back to Hawaii, spending time with loved ones, and attending the many activities of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband George; and brother Marco Torres, Jr.

Genevieve is survived by her three children, Ruth (Jim) Grundman of Osakis, Michael (Randi) Murphy of Blaine, and Catherine Murphy of St. Paul; six grandchildren, Sarah (Jesse) Branstad, Nick (Lissa) Grundman, Michael Grundman, Jacob (Ashley) Grundman, Madison Murphy, and Austin Murphy; six great-grandchildren, Aubrey, Evie, and Mathias Branstad and Greta, Grant, and Gunnar Grundman; two sisters, Carmen Woolford of Michigan and Alexa (Fred) Francisco of Hawaii; along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Serving as pallbearers will be her grandchildren.