Susan Murphy

Susan D. Murphy, of Fountain City, WI, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2020, after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer.  She was 70 years young.

Susan is survived by devoted husband of nearly 32 years Randy Murphy. She will be missed by step-children: Nick Murphy and Shannon Murphy both of Winona; her siblings: Richard Karnath (Debbie) of Winona; Jean Carrillo of Everett, WA; and Ruth Ann Block (William) of Apple Valley, MN.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents Walter H. Karnath and Doris M. Karnath, and a brother, James W. Karnath (Helen) of Fredericksburg, VA.

A 1970 graduate of Winona Area Vo-Tech with a Licensed Practical Nurse degree, Susan devoted her 46 year career to caring for others.  Her entire work life was spent at Winona Health, beginning in Central Supply even before she became an LPN.  For many years Susan was the president of the LPN union at Winona Health, representing the group at state conventions annually. Before she retired in 2015 she was caring for patients in the Kidney Dialysis Unit.

Susan thoroughly enjoyed her monthly outings with the “Birthday Club”. The group, made up of treasured co-workers from over the years, supported each other through thick and thin. They will miss her terribly. When some of the girls ventured out on vacations Susan was the navigator, making sure that they made it to their destination.

Susan was a “Harley Girl” and enjoyed her motorcycle trips with Randy around the backroads of the Upper Midwest, occasionally venturing farther afield for other adventures.  Harley “gear” was just another passion of hers. And if the gear was pink then all the better because Susan was also a breast cancer survivor who believed in supporting the quest for the cure.

Coming from a river family (Dad and brother Richard were master pilots) Susan was a big fan of boating, exploring the Mississippi with Randy on a houseboat, a speedboat or a cruiser. Living within sight of the Mississippi River was an added joy in her life.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date when we can safely gather and share our stories.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Susan’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com

Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.