Darel Murphy

Darel Lawrence Murphy Sr passed at the age of 80 on May 29th 2026 at St Joe’s Hospital in Brainerd MN. He was born on November 3rd 1945 to Lawrence Murphy and Mabel Ruffcorn. He grew up in Circle Pines and graduated from Centennial High School Class of 1963. He started work in the flour mill at Pillsbury in Minneapolis. He then went to trade school to be able to work in the machine shop and eventually moved into the Research and Development Department. After gaining lots of experience there he left to start his own company “Murphy’s Machine Shop” which he owned and operated for over 25 years, many of which with his son.

He has always enjoyed creating and building and fixing anything and everything. In 2007 he moved to a farm in Cambridge. As a child growing up in the city; he always dreamed of farm life. He truly enjoyed having horses, riding, and making hay. He gained a passion for competing with his horses in cattle events, earning countless trophies, awards and even a buckle. He continued to ride even in his last weeks.

His other lifelong passion was the outdoors. He never missed a deer hunting season and spent many weekends fishing for walleye, bass, sturgeon and even eel pout during the ice season. In his younger years he was an avid archer and even made his own recurve bow.

He is survived by his three children: Darel Murphy Jr (Deb Rozek-Best), Pattie Murphy (Trish Davis) and Cassie Dutton (Taylor Dutton) and four granddaughters: Abby, Anabel, Amelia and Adalyn.

He left an impression on every person he met; He was so quick to smile from ear to ear and offer a firm handshake or warm hug.

Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Casino Assembly of God Church at 3pm on Sunday June 14th.

10387 49th Ave SW

Pillager, MN 56473