Jaroldine Jovita Murphy

Jaroldine J. (Lee) Murphy, age 97, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at St. Mark’s Living in Austin. Jeri was born on May 21, 1928, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She graduated from Wells High School in 1946 and continued her education at St. Catherine University, graduating in 1948. Following college, she began teaching kindergarten and grade school in Minnesota, Ohio, and Indiana. Jeri married Richard F. Murphy in July of 1953 in Wells, Minnesota. From 1969 until her retirement in 1992, Jeri worked as a teacher assistant in the science department at Austin Public Schools.

Survivors include her daughter, Colleen Murphy of Austin, Minnesota; two sons, Christopher of Salt Lake City, Utah and Patrick and Nancy Murphy of Waterloo, Iowa; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one sister, Patricia Bergo of Mason City, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Murphy; parents, Marie Meyer and Jefferson Lee; brothers, Dr. Douglas Lee and Dr. A. Jeff Lee; and one sister, Jeanne Hill.

The family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice and the staff at St. Mark’s Living for their care and support.

A private family service will be held at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Austin. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.