Lauretta Murphy

Lauretta Amelia Ida Murphy of Jefferson City, MO passed away Saturday, March 30, 2024 at Heisinger Bluffs where she had resided for the last four years. Lauretta was just three weeks shy of her 90th birthday.    

She was born in New Haven, Missouri on April 20, 1934, to Ralph and Esther (Blom) Wesselschmidt.  Her father chose her name which she always liked but found it was almost always misspelled. Lauretta married R. Donald Murphy on December 31, 1953, and they shared 68 wonderful years together before his passing November 17, 2022.  The early years of marriage were spent in St. Louis where their only son was born but much of their life together they lived in Jefferson City where they made lifelong friends.  Lauretta and Don enjoyed travelling, especially with the Steel Joist Institute.  Many trips were made to Indiana and Wisconsin to spend time with their son and his family.

Lauretta was a member of First United Methodist Church and had been active in the Ladies Circle.  She was fun-loving, generous and friendly, always speaking to strangers in the grocery store, etc.  Lauretta loved spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren especially in Vienna at the “Farm”.  She was a proud, staunch Republican and became very active in the Republican Women’s Club. 

Lauretta is survived by her daughter-in-law, Patricia Murphy of Milton, WI, granddaughter, Jessica (Daniel) Kems of Kansas City, MO, grandson, Lucas (Katrina) Murphy of Milton, WI, great grandchildren, Amelia and Brock Murphy, sister, Vera (Russell) Julius of Rosebud, MO, brother, Dennis (Jeanie) Wesselschmidt of Kansas City, MO and sister-in-law, Anna Mae Wesselschmidt of Lee's Summit, MO. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, son, Dwayne, sister, Rose Marie and husband Clinton Snyder and brother, Donald Wesselschmidt. 

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 3, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 201 Monroe St. Funeral services will begin at 4:00 p.m. with Reverend Trevor Dancer officiating. Burial will be in New Haven Cemetery, New Haven, MO.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of your choice. 

Trimble Funeral Homes-Jefferson City is assisting the family with arrangements. trimblefunerals.com 

The family would like to thank the staff at Heisinger Bluffs for the exceptional care Lauretta was given during her time living there. They treated her with respect, dignity and tenderness.