Ann Murphy

Ann Murphy passed away peacefully on Feb. 7, 2020 at the Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby, Minnesota.  Ann was born to George and Mary (Lunchar) Martin on July 2, 1918.  She married her husband Francis Murphy in 1939 and together they enjoyed 59 years of marriage.  She and her husband Francis owned and operated Murphy’s Café in Ironton for 20 plus years.  She was known in the area for her delicious glazed donuts and pastries as well as the wonderful home cooked meals she served to many people in the area throughout the years.  She kept open on holidays so the miners who were bachelors had someplace to eat.  She was always thinking of someone else or taking care of someone else.  After the restaurant closed, her home was always open for friends and family who gathered for coffee, cookies and good conservation each morning.  She fondly referred to them as her “coffee customers.”In later years, she volunteered for the Red Cross, loved to garden, and maintained a lovely yard.  Ann was the last surviving member of the original Serbian Sisters.  She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Crosby Minnesota, the Catholic Foresters and the Myrin-James American Legion Auxiliary.

Ann was preceded in death by her husband Francis, her parents and step mother Violet Polich, three brothers, Robert Martin, Mike Martin and Chester Martin, one sister Dorothy Matthews and son-in-law Stephen Koenig.  Three step brothers, Robert Polich, Denny Polich and Clifford Polich and one step-sister Rose Satovich.

She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law Francis and Mary Murphy of St. Charles, IL and one daughter, Patricia Koenig of Fairfax Station, VA.; and several nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 17, 2020 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Crosby.  Burial will be at the Lakewood Cemetery in Crosby.  A visitation will be held on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a rosary at 3:30 p.m. at the Koop Funeral Home and also one hour prior to the service at the church.