Tana Kathryn Murphy

PORTAGE -- Tana Kathryn Murphy left us peacefully on Friday, September 6th, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

Tana was born in Hoven, South Dakota on September 9th, 1948, to Frank and Rene (Few) Engler. She graduated from Washington High School in Sioux Falls, SD. She then graduated from the University of South Dakota, earning her R.N. Degree. Tana put her nursing skills to work in FL, AZ, CO, CA, and WI.  While in Colorado, she met the love of her life, Mark S. Murphy. They were married on July 14th, 1973, in Denver. The two would later move to California, where Mark Jr. was born and then on to Wisconsin where they welcomed Andrew and Christopher to round out the Murphy boys. M.A.C., as she referred to them, were everything to her.

If you were born in the tri-county area, within the last 40 years, there is a good chance that Tana helped bring you into this world. She was a labor and delivery nurse, teaching hundreds of first-time parents (especially new dads) how to change diapers. She was the best at calming new parents' nerves and worries! She was approached often at the local grocery store with thanks for her labor and delivery care but would rarely remember a newborn baby or Mom’s name, but could always remember boy or girl, the height and weight, and whether it was a short or long labor for babies she helped deliver! She often mentioned how proud the new Dads were and how they just smiled and smiled! In the excitement and miracle of birth or in the mystery and loss of life, Tana was always there.

She took so much pride in her nursing career, but what she loved to do most in life was being the best mom to her boys, Mark Jr., Andy, and Chris. Tana’s boys were her everything, her reason to work harder, her entertainment, sometimes her biggest headaches, always her #1 fans, and lastly her heart and soul! She also loved and adored her husband, Mark S. and was always in his corner.

Tana enjoyed spending some of her free time, at their family home, sitting on their deck overlooking Swan Lake, with her beloved husband by her side. She was always reading the paper lining up which sporting events she and Mark Sr. would be watching next. If the Packers, Brewers, Badgers, or Bucks were on she would make sure to have on her corresponding rally cap for a big win! She also liked to collect stuff. Not really anything particular, but, if it made her laugh or reminded her of something or someone, she clipped it out and “saved” it.

Tana is survived by her loving husband, Mark S. Murphy, Sr.; her children, Mark S. Murphy, Jr., Andrew J. Murphy (Margaret Fichter), and Christopher W. Murphy; her siblings, Mike Engler, Shari (Bill) Thurston, Jean (Denny) Malherek, and Steve (Suzanne) Engler; four nieces; ten nephews; and her very dear friend, Jill Branch. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Frank and Rene Engler; sister, Cindy Engler; and sister-in-law, Joanne Engler.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday September 21, 2024 at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 309 East Cook St., Portage, WI, with Fr. Randy officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00. a.m. until 11:00am on Saturday.  Inurnment will be private.

The family would like to extend its deepest gratitude to all the wonderful people who cared for Tana in her final days; the caring staff at St. Mary’s Hospital, Wisconsin Dells Health Services, and Agrace Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Agrace Hospice in Tana’s name.

Pflanz Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.