Agnes Marie 'Jimmie' Murphy of Ft. Madison passed away February 15, 2014, at her home. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wed., Feb. 19, at Holy Family Parish, Sacred Heart Church, Ft. Madison. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Ft. Madison. Visitation will begin after 1:00 p.m. Tues. Feb. 18, 2014, at the Barr Memorial Chapel. A rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

On September 2, 1922 in St. Louis, Missouri Agnes Marie Menges was born to Agnes and William Menges and into an Irish-German family who loved to tell stories, play cards, and party (her mom had 10 siblings, all of whom lived in St. Louis and several of whom worked for the breweries there!). Because she was such a tomboy, at age two they started calling her 'Jimmie' - and it stuck! Jimmie had an older sister, Mary Lou, and a younger sister, Ruthie (who died at age 7).

Jimmie had a wonderful time growing up. She attended St. Engelbert Grade School and Rosati-Kain High School. She loved to play baseball, ice skate in Forest Park, ride horses (Western and English saddle), and play Bridge. In the summer the family left the city for Hoene Springs, a community founded by her grandfather. There Jimmie could be as mischievous as she chose: Swimming in the river where she was specifically told NOT to swim; smoking cattails with her cousins; riding an uncle's cows; and playing the slot machine in another uncle's general store/tavern.

Although she had dreams of becoming a secretary, her father convinced her to follow Mary Lou''s lead and attend Fontbonne College. Jimmie enjoyed college life. She was a cheerleader and had a very active social schedule - sometimes going out with one admirer in the morning to skate, a second in the afternoon to Tea Dances at the Chase Park Plaza, and a third in the evening for a movie. Because she wanted to be a dress designer, she was forced to take many science classes she disliked. Jimmie recently commented, "I don''t know how I did so well because I didn't buy the books for a lot of my classes".

On September 20, 1943 Jimmie again followed her sister's path and joined the U. S. Coast Guard Women's Reserve (SPARS). Her training was done in Florida (the SPARS billet was a commandeered beach-front hotel). She learned to make perfect ''hospital corners'' on her bed (a skill which she insisted her daughters learn!). She rather liked her uniform, but always rolled up the skirt when her commanding officer wasn't looking. After being commissioned she was stationed at the 9th Naval District, St. Louis. Her many duties included Public Relations and Recruiting throughout the midwest. Once she travelled with an all-male band! She was honorably discharged on June 7, 1946 with the rank of Yeoman 1st Class.

While recruiting in a theater lobby she met two medical students. The gentlemen followed her onto a bus.... And that's how she met her future husband, Robert E. Murphy. Jimmie and Bob were married on May 11, 1946 at St. Joan of Arc Church in St. Louis.


Following her husband's graduation from medical school (and the birth of daughter, Michele), the couple moved to Dallas, Texas. There Bob completed his internship and a two-year residency. Their second daughter, Kit, was born in ''Big D''. When Dr. Murphy was recalled for Army service, Jimmie and the girls were able to join him in Wertzburg, Germany. During their stay in at the Army Base the couple toured extensively throughout Europe - Oh the stories Jimmie told about their travels! Jimmie also acquired a rather extensive collection of Hummel figurines (on the Black Market using PX-purchased cigarettes). After his discharge the couple moved to Detroit, Michigan so Dr. Bob could complete an additional two-year residency. Their third daughter, Joni, was born in the Motor City.

In 1955 the family settled in Fort Madison, Iowa. Since that time Jimmie has belonged to Sacred Heart (Holy Family) Parish, the Altar and Rosary Society and the Prayer Chain. Mrs. Murphy was a member of Chapter CA National T.T.T. Society for 51 years. But most of her time in Ft. Madison was spent supporting the adventures and misadventures of her three girls. She was leader of both the Blue Birds and Camp Fire Girls. She and her husband belonged to the Fort Madison Saddle Club and served as co-chairs of the Aquinas High School Annual Fund Raiser. Jimmie always managed to find time to bake cupcakes, go shopping, watch volleyball games, go shopping, travel to horse shows, go shopping, alter costumes, go shopping, attend plays, go shopping, drive to speech competitions, go shopping, make cowboy hats with matching pom-poms, and, of course, go shopping.


Following the marriages of Kit and Joni, the death of her husband, and Michele's finally finishing post-graduate work, Jimmie found other ways to occupy her time. She had sleep-overs for the grandkids, got to see three of them married, and met all six of her great grandchildren. She had a group of friends with whom she socialized and traveled. Most Saturday nights would find them gathering at someone''s house for cocktails and then out for dinner. The group went on many trips including some sponsored by the ''Passport Club'' and by ''Three Score and More''. In her later years, she and JoAnn Gregory traveled together and routinely dined out on Saturday evenings after mass.

Jimmie like high-heeled shoes, Liverpool rummy, jelly beans, and martinis. And Jimmie liked to shop. Her family will miss her elegance, her fascinating stories, and her unwavering support.


Jimmie is survived by three daughters: Michele Murphy and Kit Krogmeier of Ames, Iowa and Joni Stevens (husband Kent, deceased) of Fort Madison, Iowa;

She has six grandchildren: James Krogmeier (wife Rebecca Schultz) of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, Kate McWaters (husband Phil) of Loveland, Ohio, Robert Murphy Krogmeier and Lisa Marie Bickelhaupt (husband Nick) of Ames, Iowa, Audra Stevens (fiance Warner Delashmutt) of Galesburg, Illinois and Andrew Stevens (fiancee Joanna Millard) of Fairfield, Iowa;

And six great grandchildren: Mason William Krogmeier, Grant Philip McWaters, Julia Murphy McWaters, Gavin Dean McWaters, and Stella Marie and Carter James Bickelhaupt.


She was preceded in death by her husband of 30 years, Robert Edward Murphy, M.D.; her parents, William Louis Robert Menges and Agnes Marie (Hoene) Menges of St. Louis, Missouri; and two sisters, Mary Louise Menges and Ruth Elizabeth Menges of St. Louis.


Those considering an expression of sympathy in lieu of flowers may direct memorials to Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of Iowa Foundation, P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244-4550, or to Lee County Health Department Hospice, 2218 Avenue H, Fort Madison, IA 52627.