Esther F. Murphy – age 94, of Pocahontas, passed away on Monday, June 6, 2022, at the Pocahontas Manor Care Center in Pocahontas, Iowa.

Esther Frieda Schenkelberg was born on January 3, 1928, in Carroll, Iowa. She was the daughter of Bernard and Louise (Hoffman) Schenkelberg. She attended schools in Halbur and Carroll. Esther moved with her family to Fonda when she was in the 7 ^th grade where she attended OLGC Catholic School, graduating in 1946. She worked in their family hardware store called "Gambles" after high school. On February 3, 1948, Esther was united in marriage to "The love of her life" John J. Murphy at OLGC Catholic Church in Fonda. The couple settled on the family farm near Varina where they farmed and raised their family. In 1969, they moved into Fonda where they owned and operated Gambles Hardware. They also operated the Pomeroy Laundromat from 1969 - 1980. John passed away in 2002 and in 2003, Esther moved to Pocahontas.

Esther was a member of Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church, Catholic Ladies Society and a past member of C. D. of A. She played the organ at various locations over the years. She enjoyed cooking, baking, adult coloring, crossword puzzles and word search games. She enjoyed meeting new people and visiting with friends and family. She enjoyed traveling with her husband and friends. Esther especially enjoyed being a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Survivors include her children, Larry (Patricia) Murphy of Ankeny, Richard Murphy of Pocahontas, Randy (Bonnie) Murphy of Ankeny, Diana (Denny) Dunbar of Barnum and Dan (Cindy) Murphy of Pocahontas; 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents; husband, John; infant sister, Mary Louise and two grandsons, Shawn Murphy and Eddie Murphy.