Elfrieda Murphy

A woman who lived a full and rewarding life, Elfrieda Murphy was an extraordinary woman in so many ways. She has been described as a spitfire who could be stubborn when it came to things she was passionate about, yet her life was always focused on helping those around her. There was no one who met Elfrieda and left unchanged as she was kind, tenderhearted, and filled with timeless wisdom gleaned from living a life of purpose. She possessed an unwavering faith that served as the compass she used to guide her steps, counting every breath she took as a gift tailor made just for her. Frieda will be deeply missed while her memory is forever cherished by her family members and numerous friends. Nearly a century has passed since our nation and much of the world came face to face with the growing tensions overseas that would one day become WWI. The years 1912 and 1913 saw the First and Second Balkan Wars, which only added fuel to the fire of unrest. Despite the turmoil around them a young couple from Langenstein, Germany, was thrilled to announce the birth of their daughter on January 13, 1913. Baby Elfrieda was one of four children born to her parents, Eugene and Anna (Stratthausen) Duderstadt, and spent her earliest years in the family home in Germany alongside her sister, Herta, and her brothers, Hubert and Alfred. It was at a young age that Frieda experienced great hardship with the death of her father who was killed in WWI. In search of a better life, she immigrated to the United States with her mother and brothers under the sponsorship of her Uncle Rochow. They settled in Big Rapids, Michigan, with their uncle where both he and Elfriedas mother worked very hard in order to survive. Things were so difficult for a time that Frieda and her brothers lived in an orphanage for a time. Sometime later her mother married a Lutheran pastor and moved to Arkansas with her new husband while Frieda remained living in Big Rapids with family. She completed her education through local schools and went on to the University of Michigan. These years were anything but easy for Frieda, but they created within her a spirit of independence and a strong will. With her studies at the University of Michigan behind her, Frieda settled in Muskegon where she found work at Continental Motors. This proved to be a fateful move for her as it was at work that she met the man who stole her heart. His name was James Murphy, and they quickly began dating. After falling in love the couple was married in an intimate service on July 4, 1941. After a brief honeymoon spent fishing, the couple settled into a small house in Muskegon. They later moved into a home in the Glenside neighborhood where Elfrieda remained for the rest of her life. Although they never had any children, Frieda remained close to her relatives, and she always enjoyed visiting with her extended family whether she went to visit them or she hosted them on a visit to Muskegon. Someone who was content in all things, Frieda lived a good life. She and Jim made wise investments, which allowed them to experience a comfortable lifestyle. They were active socially in Muskegon and enjoyed frequent dinners and cocktails with friends. Elfrieda and Jim were members at Our Saviors Lutheran Church where she was involved in several ministries and activities through the years. During their retirement years she and Jim did some traveling to Europe to visit relatives, and they also wintered in Florida for a few years, too. Throughout her life Frieda enjoyed many things. She lived an active and healthy life, often walking the streets in and around her neighborhood. Along the way she got to know her neighbors well, and they all looked out for one another. Frieda was very generous, and she frequently went out to buy things for people in need. She took great pride in her appearance and in keeping her home as well. She was always well dressed, and she saw that Jim always looked his best, too, with freshly ironed clothes even his underwear! When at home relaxing, Elfrieda often kept busy reading or knitting. In 1979 Frieda was deeply saddened with Jims death. Because she was independent, she remained on her own and kept busy with things like church. Elfrieda also enjoyed frequent visits with her friends and day trips with area seniors groups. She was blessed with a great group of friends who helped her remain on her own during her sunset years. Although she was petite in stature, Elfrieda Murphy was a vibrant woman with just the right amount of spunk mixed in. She could get feisty at times and didnt shy away from calling a spade a spade, yet she was always likeable and drew others to her with ease. Frieda wasnt afraid to do things her own way, such as the time she waded across the reflecting pools in Washington, D.C., and she was always able to keep her cool. A dear woman to many, Elfrieda Murphy was truly one of a kind. She was social and fun-loving, generous and compassionate. At times Frieda made her own rules and was known to say, Go do something even if its wrong. With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, she created a brilliantly colored mosaic of memories that will remain lasting treasures in the hearts and lives of those she leaves behind. Elfrieda E. Murphy died on Wednesday, October 24, 2012. Friedas family includes her half-sisters, Selma O'Bannion, Betty Chatham, and Helen Reller; nieces and nephews, Douglas (Kristine) Bodnovich of Chicago, IL, Eugene (Claire) Duderstadt of Wooster, AR, Lorna Duderstadt of Chattanooga, TN, and Bruce (Kim) Duderstadt of Panama City, FL; special friends, Dallas and Peggy Perdue, Michelle and John Pridnia, Rick and Catherine Hill, Darla and Sheldon Parrish, Larry and LeAnn, and Elaine and Ed along with countless others. Frieda was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, in 1979 and half sister, Louise Cilley. Services will be held on Thursday, November 1, 2012, 11:00 a.m. and visitation one hour prior to the service at Our Savior's Lutheran Church with Pastor Karen Biggerstaff officiating. Entombment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.