Larry Dean Murfin

Larry D. “Murf” Murfin

December 9th, 1948 — August 2nd, 2024

Larry Dean “Murf” Murfin, 75, of Le Mars, Iowa, formerly of Wakefield, Nebraska, passed away Friday, August 2nd, 2024. 

A Prayer Service will be held at 7:00 P.M. Friday, August 9th at Mohr & Becker-Hunt Funeral Home in South Sioux City, Nebraska. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service time with the family at the funeral home. 

The Funeral Service will be at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, August 10th at Grace Lutheran Church in Le Mars. There will be a visitation with family beginning at 9:30 A.M. with a light lunch and fellowship following the funeral. 

The grave side service will be held at Silver Ridge Cemetery in rural Ponca/Martinsburg/Newcastle, Nebraska (depending on which direction you’re coming from) following the luncheon with Military Honors by the United States Army Reserve. 

Murf was born the Son of Dale and Elsie (Miille) Murfin on December 9th, 1948 in Sioux City, Iowa. He was always proud of his strong roots growing up on a small family farm northwest of “The Burg” (Martinsburg, Nebraska). He attended a one room country school through the 8th grade. In 1963 he transferred as a Freshman to Allen High School where he excelled in academics and sports. He would often joke that on his first day in the big school the football coach found him in the hallway and told him he was on the team. The first football game he watched from start to finish was the first game he played in, and the first game he started in. He went on to set school records in discus and was an All-State lineman in football. He graduated from Allen in 1967.

It was in high school that he started dating the love of his life; Juanita “Nita” Leedom. They were wed on October 25, 1968 in Allen at First Lutheran Church. They remained married until her passing in 2022 (53 yrs). Murf and Nita made their first home south of “The Burg” and started their first business, The Village Smithy in Wakefield, Nebraska. This allowed him to stay connected to his farm kid roots by using his welding and fabricating skills to keep local farmers in the field and productive. In 1971 they welcomed their first child, Jeremy. In 1972, moved to Wakefield and in 1974 Dorenna was added to the little family. In 1977 Margo was born and their family was complete.

His musical career started at a young age. His parents would take him to Sioux City where he began taking Organ lessons. He would eventually become an accomplished musician and went on to teach others how to play. In the late 70’s he began performing with others playing in bars and clubs. A few years later he would form “The Good Timen Band” with his friends. They traveled the tri-state area and entertained thousands for nearly a decade. This included Christmas concerts featuring children for people in area nursing homes. In the 80’s a depression known as “The Farm Crisis” hit and many of his friends and customers were hurting as a result. In 1985, desperate to help the cause he co-wrote the song “A Farmers troubled Mind”. The Good Timen Band recorded it as side A on a 45 album and also on cassette. Proceeds from the sales were donated to the cause.

Later in the 80’s Murf and Nita were bothered by the fact that there were no safe places for teens to socialize. Therefore, in 1988, they started a part time business called Uncle Smurf’s. It was only open after school and into the evenings as a place for teens to hangout, play video games, eat, and be safe in. Over the years Murf and Nita both enjoyed hearing of the success of the young people that would come into the original Smurf’s. Thanks to social media they were able to keep in touch with many of them and received great joy as they watched their teen customers grow up, mature and become parents of their own teens. Looking back, they both regretted Smurf’s losing its teen identity for which it was founded. They didn’t realize at the time the positive impact that they had made.

After they moved on from the restaurant business, he went back to his roots working as a welder and mechanic for several local companies until his retirement.

In 2019 Murf and Nita made their way to Le Mars where they enjoyed their final years. They joined Grace Lutheran Church where they were active members. They moved into Willow Creek Place and made many friends over the years. He enjoyed spending his time with the other Willow Creek residents calling out Bingo numbers, sharing stories, playing games and their potluck dinners. He was also pivotal in getting permission to create a community garden, one that is flourishing today.

Murf was known for many things throughout his life. Perhaps the greatest hidden talent is his gift of being able to crochet. He was taught by his Aunt Harriet Becker at a very young age to keep him busy while being quarantined by a childhood illnesss. Throughout his life he was always crocheting. He would come home from his welding shop and relax watching a baseball game or NASCAR and start crocheting. Nights off work would soon produce a collection of things. From simple scarves, potholders, and small blankets to king size bed covers and even a pair of gloves. In his last years, he made dozens of afghans for family and friends, all unique and all a different stitch. 

Murf’s faith was very important to him. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Newcastle. Over the years he was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Martinsburg, St. John’s Lutheran Church in Wakefield, and Grace Lutheran Church in Le Mars. At Grace he enjoyed singing in the choir and crocheting blankets for newborns when they were baptized. He was a member of the Evangelistic Committee, as well as the church board of elders. He was also an Usher and Greeter. He will be remembered fondly for his greeting, “Welcome to the House of the Lord”.

Murf is survived by his children: Jeremy Murfin and (Wendy Golladay), Dorenna (Christopher) Blanchette, and Margo (Travis) Holverson; sister-in-law, Marge Dicus; grandchildren, MaRyka Murfin and (Adam Zediker), Gavin Murfin, Joshua Blanchette, Layne Stewart and (Suzanne Balsha), Karaha (Christopher) Chamberlin, Chance Holverson, and Tanith Holverson; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sibling, Eldon Murfin and Gwendonna Murfin Tullberg.