Patrick Murphy

Patrick Joseph “Pat” Murphy, 85, passed away on November 2, 2022, at Taylor House in Des Moines. He was born in Melrose, Iowa on September 20, 1937, the third child of John and Elizabeth Murphy.

Pat graduated from Melrose High School in 1956. After high school, he worked a short time at Maytag in Newton before moving to Des Moines to take a job at Firestone Tire and Rubber, where he was employed for 38 years, retiring in 1995. Pat quickly realized he enjoyed keeping busy so he began working part time at Pacific Realty in light maintenance at US Bank, a job he thoroughly enjoyed.

After moving to Des Moines, he met Kathleen Vander Linden, the pretty girl across the street originally from Pleasantville, Iowa. They were married April 24, 1965 and enjoyed 57 wonderful years together. Later, they moved to Mitchellville, Iowa, and began a family with son, Jason, arriving in 1967 and son, David, arriving in 1969. In 1970, realizing they needed a larger home, Kathy’s brothers, Vander Linden Brothers Construction, built them the home they would share to this day in Altoona, Iowa.

In the early years of their marriage, Pat and Kathy loved going to Des Moines Oak Leafs hockey games even when Kathy was quite pregnant with her first child. Family legend was that she would eventually have her first child at the ice arena.

Pat and his wife Kathy made it a point to always do a family vacation every year, visiting many places throughout the country and making many memories. He was always involved in his children’s lives never missing a Little League game or a school event. Pat continued this commitment to family as he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, always attending major events.

Whether it was his grandchildren in Iowa or across the country in Phoenix, Arizona, he made it a point to attend birthdays, school activities, sporting events and band concerts. His grandchildren were his world. Pat took great pride in his home, keeping a beautiful yard and you could always find him “puttering around” with something and he truly enjoyed doing it.

Patrick is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen; sons, Jason (Cindy) Murphy and David (Deanna) Murphy; grandchildren, Colin, Jenna, Graham and Braden Murphy; brother, Stephen (Rosie) Murphy and son Matthew; sister, Madelyn Murphy.

The family wishes to thank Taylor House Hospice for Pat’s superb care when he needed it the most, his doctors for their wonderful care and advice, and the friends and neighbors for their invaluable care, help and support.

A memorial service will be held in the Family Life Center at the Altoona United Methodist Church on November 19th at 11:00 am, with a celebration of life will follow until 2:00 pm. A private burial at the Altoona Cemetery at a later time.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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