Lois Murphy Murphy
Lois L. Murphy Murphy died Jan. 6, 2012 in Helena, Montana surrounded by her family. She was born Nov. 15, 1917 to Hugh James and Gladys Ann (Hardy) Murphy in Glendive, Montana. Lois was the oldest of 10 children and was raised in rural Dawson County near the homesteads of her grandparents.
After graduating from Dawson County High School, Lois came to the Helena Valley and attended the University of “Pay Attention” and “Work Hard”. She married Harry Smole in 1937, and they eventually owned and ran the Cottage Café in East Helena for a decade. They had one son, Harry Douglas.
She was a pioneer independent business woman. Lois operated the A&W drive-in and later the Tastee Freeze on Euclid very successfully. She had good business sense.
Lois married Francis James (Jim) (Spud) Murphy July 3 1969. The blended family was welcomed with open arms and loved. Some of her favorite activities were cooking for her family, enjoying their winter home in Arizona, entertaining their many friends and she enjoyed the slot machines and had the ‘Luck of the Irish’. Lois and Jim worked hard and shared the fruits of their labor and had wonderful retirement times.
Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Jim and 6 siblings.
Lois is survived by her children, H. Douglas Smole, Francis James Murphy, Jr., Colleen Murphy Towe, Moreen Murphy, and Kathleen Murphy McCall. Surviving siblings are Joy Skogas, Dean Murphy and Tom Murphy. Lois has 15 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
In accordance with her wishes, she was cremated. A private family service has been conducted.
The family wishes to thank Aspen Gardens for the wonderful care of their mother.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Aspen Gardens at 13 Bumblebee Ct., Helena or the American Cancer Society, 1903 Central Ave., Billings, MT 59102. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.aswfuneralhome.com
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Billie Beardslee says
What a wonderful sister-in-law I had for a short time.Such a energetic,loving friend and so good to my kids when they were young and at the Race Track in Helena. I am so glad to have known her.
Jean (Rigler) DeGroat says
I am so sorry to hear of Lois’s passing. Special condolences to Doug, my childhood next-door neighbor
Lee & Dudley Williams says
Condolences and prays for the family..
Sheila Bartz (Murphy) says
Doug Kathy Mareen,My deepest condolences goes out to you, What wonderful parents you had. I will always remember how much fun we had after the horse races in Helena. Lois and Jim would have a big barbecue for us and we would all talk about how much we won or lost that day on our horses. The Love and the laughter between Jim and Lois is something that many people only dream about,there together again, may God bless them both, the memories I have of them I hold dear to my heart.