Bette Murphy

Bette or Grandma Boop, as she was affectionately known to her friends and family, was born Elizabeth Jean Abbott on July 3, 1937, to Bernard and Irene (Kukowski) Abbott of Ardoch, ND. She passed away suddenly on September 4, 2017. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, September 9, at 10:30 AM at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, Larimore, ND, with Rev. Thaines Arulandu officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Friday, September 8, at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church, where an evening prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow at Bellevue Cemetery following the funeral. Bette graduated from Grand Forks Central High School in 1956. After graduation she moved to and worked in Seattle, WA, for 13 years until she married William “Spud” Murphy on November 2, 1970. They made their home with their five children on the family farm near McCanna, ND, and the Enchanted Forest of Agnes Township. Over the years, Bette was active in circles and committees at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church. She was also active within the Larimore schools, faithfully serving her family and community. She was a den mother, a room mother, 4-H leader, and CCD teacher. She enjoyed Red Hat Club activities and visiting over coffee with the friends and neighbors whom she loved so much. Bette was a gifted seamstress, avid reader of mysteries and couldn’t say no to a good western movie. Grandma Boop’s meatballs, donuts, and gingerbread cookies will be missed. Grandma Boop spent most of the last two decades at her grandchildren’s activities; sporting events, plays, concerts, graduations, proms, and church occasions. Bette’s was the voice you were most likely to hear cheering and laughing. These were probably the only times you would see her wearing any other color than red. She was a proud and joyous grandparent! Bette is survived by her husband, William “Spud” Murphy; daughters, Patricia (Eric) Stender, Champlin, MN, Mary (Michael) Kahn, Woodside, CA, Erin (Tyler) Lamp, Jamestown, ND; sons, James (Denise) Murphy, Cummings, ND, and Daniel (Laura) Murphy, Bismarck, ND; brother, Vernon Abbott, Mesa, AZ; and nephew, Rick Abbott, Seattle, WA. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren; Colleen Stender, Alaina, Autumn, and Jacob Bujtor, Steven and Rachel Murphy, Blake and Sydney Murphy, Bailey, Carson, and Dalton Lamp. She was also blessed with so many of her grandchildren’s friends who also called her Grandma Boop. Bette was preceded in death by her parents; grandson, John Murphy; sister-in-law, Faye Abbott; and niece, Kim Abbott. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Bellevue Cemetery, or Make-A-Wish of North Dakota.