Celestine Erhart Murphy

HAMILTON - Celestine Erhart Murphy, 89, of Hamilton passed on to meet her God on May 11 at Westhills Assisted Living.  

She was born on July 26, 1927 in Almont, North Dakota to John and Magdalena Erhart and moved to Hamilton when she was nine years old, speaking only German.  She had eight siblings:  Rose, Alois, Vincent, Alex, Florian, Adam, Ted and Mary.  Her family moved to Grantsdale, Montana in 1936 to settle where there was more productive land for farming.  In 1948, Celestine married Daniel “Bud” Murphy after meeting him at a local dance.  They later settled in Missoula where they raised their family and lived until 2008 when they moved back to Hamilton.  They had three children:  Pat, John, and Carl.  They were married for 64 years when Dan preceded her in death in 2012.

Celestine struggled most of her life with the side effects of the brain tumor surgery she had in 1963.  Although the surgery completely paralyzed her right side, she worked hard to overcome her disabilities, and became an avid gardener.  Her proudest achievement was raising her children.  She excelled in the beautiful raspberries she raised and sold and the rock gardens she developed and tended.  She loved to play cards and entertain family and friends.  On Easter 2006 she and Dan were baptized at CrossPoint Community Church in Missoula. She was a proud member of The Order of Rebecca, Chapter #5 in Missoula. 

Celestine is survived by her three children:  Pat (Bill Thompson) of Hamilton, John (Karen) of Huson and Carl (Vickie) of Missoula; two grandchildren:  Josh (Ashley) Murphy of Missoula and Jourdan of Missoula; two great-grandchildren; and brothers Florian and Ted, brother-in-law Bernie (Jewell) Huff and sister-in-law Agnes Erhart; in addition to many nieces and nephews. 

The family wishes to thank Ali Goman and family of Westhills Assisted Living, Partners in Home Care Hospice, Sapphire Lutheran Homes and Beehives Homes for the loving care she received since Dan’s passing.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Emma’s House, P.O. Box 2034, Hamilton, MT  59840.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at 12:00 pm at the Daly-Leach Chapel with burial to follow at Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton.  There will be a reception following the committal service in the funeral home’s community room.