Janet Florell Murphy

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness..."— 2 Timothy 4:7-8

On Saturday, June 13, 2026, Janet finished her earthly race and peacefully entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. While we deeply miss her physical presence, we rejoice in knowing that she is now experiencing the ultimate homecoming—healed, whole, and enveloped in perfect joy.

Born on September 29, 1927, on a farm near Holdrege, Nebraska to Andy and Ida Larson, Janet lived a childhood during the depression and learned a strong work ethic, which she passed on to her children. Janet graduated from Holdrege High School at 16 years old, the youngest in her class. She attended Technical College in Omaha, Nebraska graduating as a Stenographer. She met Ernie at a friend’s wedding reception in Grand Island. She married Ernest R. Murphy on 18 March 1950, and made their home in Grand Island, Nebraska.

In 1967 Ernie and Janet bought the Round Table Lounge in downtown Grand Island. Ernie passed away in 1972 and she continued to run the lounge with her sons until 1974. She then began working at Grand Island Furnace & Supply before starting her medical career as a ward secretary at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Grand Island. She worked there for 12 years until finally retiring and moving to Roy, Utah in 1991.

Janet lived in Utah with her son Tim for 19 years where she enjoyed tending her beautiful and envious flower garden, especially keeping up with all of her many rose bushes surrounding her home. In 2018 they moved to Lorain, Ohio where she lived until her passing.

Janet didn’t just speak about her faith; she lived it out loud. Whether she was caring for her family or tending to her beautiful flower garden, Janet used every opportunity to share the light of Christ with others.

Janet’s legacy lives on through the family she loved so fiercely and prayed for daily. She is survived by:

Michael & Nannette Murphy, Timothy Murphy, Shayne & Julie Murphy, Tracy & Debbie Murphy, and Michelle & Paul Geiss who carry forward her lessons of love. Step-son Ernest & Sharon Murphy and daughter-in-law Sandy Murphy.

Twenty-three Grandchildren, multiple Great-Grandchildren, and several Great-Great-Grandchildren who were her absolute pride and joy.

Janet is joyfully reunited in heaven with her husband Ernest R. Murphy, daughter Laurie Lee Murphy, son Daniel J. Murphy, step-son Patrick Murphy, grandson Kristen Murphy, parents Andy & Ida Larson, siblings Anne, Parke, and Orlo.

A service to celebrate Janet’s life, faith, and glorious homecoming will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 10:30 am, with visitation an hour before, at Apfel Funeral Home, Grand Island, Nebraska, located at 1123 West 2nd. Burial will follow in the Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Janet’s honor to the family to continue her lifelong mission of spreading the Gospel of Jesus.

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” — Revelation 21:4