January 7, 1924—June 4, 2020
SPARTA - Theodora “Kitty” C. Murphy, 96, of Sparta, WI, passed away peacefully Thursday, June 4, 2020, at the Morrow Memorial Home in Sparta. She was born on the home farm in lower West Beaver Creek, January 7, 1924, to Theodore and Catherine (Schauf) Rockweiler in Sparta, WI. She attended St. Patrick’s grade school until eighth grade and graduated from Sparta High School in 1941.
Kitty was born into a musical family. Her father was one of the charter members of the “Rockweiler Orchestra.” She developed her talent for music at a young age. She taught herself how to play many instruments, but the accordion was her favorite. They played weekly at dance engagements at the old Wigwam in Sparta, places in Cazanovia, and the Moonlight Pavilion in Cataract to name a few. Music remained a big part of her entire life.
Kitty met A.R. Bob Ward on a hayride, and they were married November of 1943, before he was sent overseas in the Army during WWII. To this union, Robert and Diane were born. She later met and married James Murphy. She and James lived on the East Coast, Milwaukee, Reno, Nevada and Waterloo, IA.
Kitty held a variety of jobs in the area; she worked at Em’s Dress Shop, St. Mary’s Hospital, was an office clerk for Monroe County Court House; she also worked at Montgomery Wards. Every job she held it involved talking to people – which she loved, and they loved her too.
She was devout and faithful to the Catholic Church. When she lived in Reno, Nevada, she began a group called “The Legion of Mary.” It was a prayer group that was started to strengthen members Catholic Faith. She was proud of the work they did with this group. Kitty was also a longtime member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sparta, where she loved singing in the church choir. She was also a member of the PCCW and Ministry of Praise, where she would distribute communion for St. Pat’s Homebound members. Kitty was a member of the National Catholic Society of Foresters, St. Agnes Court #971, and the Foster Grandparent Program.
She was a helper in the St. Patrick’s first grade classroom for nearly 10 years. She will be forever remembered as “Grandma Kitty” to those students fortunate enough to have her help them. She was also a proud member of the “school of hard knocks.” Kitty’s quick wit and love for her family and friends will be remembered fondly by many.
Kitty is survived by her daughter, Diane Quirk of Chicago, IL; grandchildren, Lisa Marie McComb (Joel Huffman), Tami Ward, Trevor Ward, Dylan Kotenbeutel and Cassidy (Shane) Cada; along with loving nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends.
Kitty was preceded in death by her first husband, A.R. Bob Ward; and husband, James Murphy; son, Robert Ward; siblings, Frances Rockweiler (infant), Virginia (Bill) Phillips, Rosella (Harold) Schiller, Herman (Ione) Rockweiler, and Lucille (August) Terpstra.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, June 6, 2020, 12:30 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sparta, WI. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Father Eric Burns officiated. Visitation was held at the church from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service.
The Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home of Sparta, WI, assisted the family with arrangements.
Memorials may be given to the St. Patrick’s Catholic School Tuition Fund in Sparta, WI, in Kitty’s name.
Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Torkelson Funeral Home
