Michael Murphy

Michael James Murphy was born on July 11, 1963 in Minneapolis, MN, the son of Ron and Sandra (Gottwalt) Murphy. He was raised and educated in Alexandria, MN. Michael graduated from Jefferson High School. In high school He excelled in the wrestling program and competed as the school?s star heavy weight wrestler. Michael loved the outdoors. After graduating he moved to Homer, Alaska where he worked in the fishing industry for eight years as a fishing guide. In the early 1990?s Michael moved back to Minneapolis where he pursued a career in debt collections. He enjoyed taking summers off to go fishing on Lake Superior. In 2003 Michael joined the family business as vice-president of operations for Shamrock Productions, Inc. He worked producing Boat, Sports and Travel Shows out of LaCrosse, WI and Duluth, MN along with a Deer Classic show out of Duluth, and a Home and Builders show out of Duluth, MN. Michael?s many hobbies included his love for fishing, spending time with his family and friends, especially his nieces and nephews whom he adored. On Wednesday May 18, 2011 Michael died at the age of forty-seven years. His grandfather, James Gottwalt and his great grandmother, Nettie James, preceded him in death. Michael is survived by his parents, Ron and Sandra Murphy of Garfield; two sisters, Chris Navratil and husband, Scott of Burnsville and Michelle Schauer of Reno, NV; two nephews, Mathew Navratil and Nicholas Schauer; three nieces, Megan Navratil, Sarah Navratil and Jordan Schauer; grandparents; C.J. & Bonnie Murphy of Alexandria and Betty Jane Gottwalt of Roseville, and two aunts, Jolene Phillips and husband, David, of New Brighton and Bonnie Harrison and husband, Butch, of Andover. A funeral service will be held 1 pM Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Reverend Glenn Seefeldt will officiate. Randy Morken and Karen Gladen will provide music. Interment will follow in the Geneva Cemetery in Alexandria. Casket bearers include Bob Wright, Kevin Frederick, Russ Francisco, Nicholas Schauer, Matthew Navratil, Charles Hasselrud, and honorary casket bearers include Michael?s nieces, Megan Navratil, Jordan Schauer and Sarah Navratil. Arrangements were with Anderson Funeral Home.