Charlie Murphy Memorial Fund

In honor of Charlie's commitment to his community we're starting a fund to help benefit the youth of the Larimore area in a variety of ways.  Your help in any way is greatly appreciated. Checks can also be mailed to: Bremer Bank Attn: Charlie Murphy Fund 119 Towner Ave Larimore, ND 58251 Charlie Murphy, 69, of Eagan, MN, formerly of Larimore, ND and East Grand Forks, MN, passed away April 21, 2020 at United Hospital in St. Paul with his family by his side. Charlie was born October 2, 1950 to Charles N. “Tim” and Helen (Lowe) Murphy in Grand Forks. He grew up on the family farm in the Bachelor’s Grove area near McCanna. Charlie attended country school near the farm through 8th grade. After graduating from Larimore High School in 1968 he continued his studies at the University of North Dakota. It was there that he met Helen Rowerdink of Strasburg, ND; they were married December 20, 1970. Charlie and Helen moved to the family farm in 1974 where they raised their two sons, Jake and Matt. In 1986 Charlie began his sales career at the John Deere dealership in Larimore. Charlie and Helen moved from the farm to just outside of Larimore in 1989. They moved to East Grand Forks in 2008, where Charlie worked at True North Equipment until his retirement in 2015. Charlie and Helen decided to move to the Twin Cities in 2017 in order to be closer to their three grandchildren. Charlie didn’t golf, hunt, fish or collect stamps. Helping others was his life’s hobby. Charlie was an active supporter of the Democratic Party his entire adult life. He served as both the North Dakota District 19 Party Chairman and an election judge in Grand Forks County for more than two decades. He was active in the Polk County DFL while living in East Grand Forks and again in Eagan as a precinct chair and active campaigner for the 2nd Congressional District Representative. Supporting his church community was of the utmost importance to Charlie, at both Our Saviors in Larimore and later, as a head usher and chief fussy-baby-snuggler at University Lutheran in Grand Forks. He became a Stephen Minister, volunteering as a layperson trained to provide one-to-one care and support to people experiencing difficult times. Hundreds of the elderly, many of whom were totally alone, got regular visits. Each December, “Santa Charlie” would host several children’s events in the Larimore and Grand Forks area. One event would be specifically designed for children with developmental delays, with Charlie adapting each visit to meet the child’s needs. Since 1974 when he first put on his Santa suit, Charlie brought joy to thousands of children who sat on his lap as he promised to relay their wish lists directly to the North Pole. Charlie served on the Larimore School Board for more than a decade, the final three as President. He led the McCanna Farmers 4-H Club for 20 years and was elected to the North Dakota Hall of Fame in 1996. The induction announcement stated, “Charlie truly has the needs of youth in his heart and mind….He believes in people and worked with many community organizations to make life better for everyone.” He was active in numerous volunteer roles including many hours at the Good Samaritan Society. In retirement, Charlie’s hobbies centered around flower gardening and grandchildren. His grandchildren, your grandchildren, anyone’s really. If he could help a flower to bloom or a child to smile it was a good day. Charlie is survived by his wife, Helen; his sons, Jake (Stacy) Murphy of Eagan, MN and Matthew (Laura) Murphy of Minneapolis; his brother Jerry (Lori) Murphy of Grand Forks and sisters Sheila (Darrel) Alm of Duluth, Denise Rydholm of Eden Prairie, MN and Ellen (David) Klym of Cody, WY and sister-in-law Robin Murphy of Grand Forks; grandchildren Maggie, Kelton and Merritt Murphy; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Jim.