Dorothy Jean Murphy, 93, of Lindsborg, Kansas passed away Oct. 30 at Sunflower Terrace, Bethany Village, Lindsborg.

Dorothy Jean Youngquist was born March 10, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois to Gustav Norman and Alice Mitchell Youngquist. After graduating from high school in Rockford, Illinois, she attended Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa where she majored in music (piano).       

On Aug. 27, 1949, Dorothy married Kenneth Leland Breymann in Rockford and the couple settled in nearby Freeport. In 1956, the Breymanns moved with their two children to the warm weather of Phoenix, Arizona where they were blessed with two more children. Ken worked in the early computer design and engineering industry until becoming disabled from the effects of exposure suffered in his World War II service. Dorothy then became the primary provider for the family, employing her talents as a piano teacher and blessing a myriad of children, including her own, with countless piano lessons. Kenneth died in 1981.

On Nov. 14, 1987, Dorothy married George Howard Murphy in Phoenix and moved to his home in La Crescenta. Upon George’s retirement in 1994, the couple moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona where they built a home and embarked on a joyful and fulfilling life revolving around church and family activities and many adventuresome road trips and cruises. Finally, in 2018, it came time to act their age so they sold their beloved home in Lake Havasu City and, after stops in Nevada and California, came to rest in Lindsborg, Kansas where in April 2020 they settled into their assisted living apartment at Sunflower Terrace.

Dorothy loved music and shared her musical talents freely. Most notable was her service of music to the churches to which she belonged over her long life. For 65 years she directed church choirs and handbell ensembles and played the organ and piano for services. She had a servant’s heart in the service of her savior, leading Bible study classes, serving as a Stephen minister, and as a member and officer of her church’s women’s group.

She loved the outdoors and was an avid hiker and early morning walker. Her favorite place was the Grand Canyon, the bottom of which she hiked 19 times, most often with friends from her church’s women’s group. Only hip replacement surgery was able to put an end to that passion.

Preceding Dorothy in death were her first husband (Kenneth); two sons (Carl Norman Breymann and Charles William Breymann); stepdaughter Kathleen Joan Murphy; parents; brother Jack Youngquist; and son-in-law Robert Chambers. Surviving her are her husband George; son David Leland Breymann (Sandy) of Henderson, Nevada; daughter Ann Elizabeth Samuelson (David) of Falun, Kansas; stepson Richard Thomas Murphy (Lucia Coulter) of Whittier; stepdaughter Pat Murphy Chambers, La Crescenta; and 18 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren and many beloved friends and extended family.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Salina, Kansas on Dec. 5 at 10:30 a.m. Private interment will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Christ-serving charity of your choice.