Blanche Lillian (Sefl) Murtagh

PORTAGE - Blanche Lillian (Sefl) Murtagh, 93, died Saturday June 8th after a
life spent promoting Portage and social justice.

She was born in Cicero, Illinois, on January 24, 1920, to Thomas and Lillian
Sefl. Her father, an immigrant from Czechoslovakia, was a working man
throughout his life. Blanche had a brother, James and a sister, Helen, both of
whom predeceased her. One of her strongest childhood memories was of the
anguish of her father during the Depression, when, although employed, he
could only afford a Christmas present for one of his children, the other two
had to go without. From this began Blanche’s deep lifelong commitment to
the interests of the working class and her dedication to social justice.

She worked in a Chicago area manufacturing plant where she met her
husband John Mervin Murtagh. They married in 1944. He had been born on
Prince Edward Island, Canada, but quickly became a United States citizen.
He volunteered to serve in World War II, but because of his slight frame, had
to go home, put silver dollars in his pockets and return for his weigh in. He
served in the Pacific, was wounded and hospitalized for more than a year.
Blanche was impacted by his experience and that of her great love of later
years, Neil Ferguson, who served in the Korean War. Blanche believed that
war must truly be a last resort, and that those promoting war should “lead
from the front” by actively participating in the danger, not by sending others
to war for them. She advocated for fair and proper treatment of veterans
throughout her life.

In 1952, she, Merv, and son John moved to Portage where they owned and
operated the Sunset Motel. The hours involved in this work reinforced her
support for small businesses and what became her enthusiasm for Portage.
After Merv died in 1962, Blanche sold the motel and built the Garden
Apartments- then one of the first new rental constructions done in Portage for
many years. She also worked at the high school as a secretary.

During her early years in Portage, she became fascinated by the wealth of its
history. The motel had a substantial tourist clientele, and it was easy to see
through an outsider’s, or a newcomer’s, eyes that the history of Portage is a
valuable resource that must be preserved and developed. Blanche was a
cofounder of the Portage Canal Society and instituted Friendship Village
Days honoring Portage’s Pulitzer Prize winning author Zona Gale. She also
created a small business that brought visitors to Portage for a historical tour.
These remained literally life long interests.

She used her columns in the Portage Daily Register“Sage and assorted spice”
to promote interest in Portage and in social justice. In these columns, she also
relentlessly rang the bell of Truth. The columns revealed detailed research
mustering facts, not opinions, in support of the positions she espoused, all
done without the benefit of a computer. “But what he said is not true” was
one of her biggest complaints. She had extensive political friendships,
mentoring local officials and two United States Senators: Russ Feingold and
Tammy Baldwin. She attended the Fighting Bobfest whenever she was able.

In addition to the column, Blanche was the author of a published children’s
book “ Tommy Two-Pockets”. Her love of reading and writing led her to
focus a great deal on educational issues. She was always a strong supporter of
the Portage Public Library. She recognized that knowledge and accurate
information are the most valuable of commodities. She supported libraries as
one of the means for citizens to be able to gather and review facts so that they
can make informed decisions about their lives and their government. With a
son that thought the library was where he lived on Saturdays, Blanche knew
that equal educational opportunities could only succeed if there is equal
access to information.

Her extensive network of friends helped her to remain living independently
in her home until her hospitalization several days before her death. Special
thanks are given to Dorothy Cragin, the world’s greatest neighbor who was a
devoted friend and constant caregiver in the truest and broadest sense.
Dorothy and others saw Blanche’s porch light as a beacon to a place to gather
in friendship, to examine the issues, and to work for a better world.

She is survived by her son John and his partner Colleen Ray, of Anchorage,
Alaska; her nephew Carl Sefl and his wife Joyce of Hiawatha, Iowa; their
daughters Kristen, her husband Mike their daughter Karrah of Cedar Rapids,
Iowa, and Tracy and her husband Darius of Washington, D.C.

In accord with her wishes, no services will be held. Memorial contributions
may be made to the Portage Public Library.