Lawrence Murty

TAMA-Lawrence Ralph Murty, 84, of Tama, passed away, Saturday, August 2, 2025 at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 5, 2025 from 4-7 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama. A Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home. Inurnment will be held at a later date at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel.

Lawrence was born on December 1, 1940, in Tama, Iowa, the son of Joseph and Gladys “Peggy” (Burke) Murty.

Lawrence served his country in the U.S. Army in the Korea and Vietnam War from 1958-1966.

On June 3, 1960, he married Rebecca Spalding in Virginia and together they had six children. He later married Patricia Doughan Berger in January of 1979 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tama. Lawrence had his own auto repair shop, Murty’s Repair in Tama. Later, he was a Black Jack Dealer at the Meskwaki Bingo & Casino for twelve years until retirement.

Lawrence enjoyed going to sporting events of his kids and grandkids, playing cards and family get togethers. He liked playing various games at casinos, and was a prankster and jokester. Lawrence would help anyone in need.

Survivors include his children, Anita Gunter of Neosho, MO, Dana Hanus of Tama, Penny Blink of Grinnell, William “Bill” (Margaret) Murty of Asbury, MO, Steven Murty (Monica Smith) of LeClaire, Robin (Eric) Murty-Long of Davenport, Janet Berger (Jill Toner) of Toledo, Julie Berger of Tama, Karla (Todd) Sebesta of Toledo, Jim (Jackie) Ebersole of Bentonville, AR, the late Jeff and his surviving wife, Vickie Ebersole; grandchildren, Shantel, Nikki, Saranne, Cody, Lawrenza, Brittany, Bryan, Timbre, Dayton, Sheldon, Alexis, Natalie, Jared, Brooke, Sierra, Kaitlin, Jaelin, Krystal, Kayla, Andy, Jack, Cara, and Jonathan; numerous great and great-great grandchildren; sister, Shirley Deal; sister-in-law, Gene Murty; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Patricia; grandson, Nicholas Murty; siblings, Joe, Lyle, Dennis, and Dick Murty, Beverly Graff, Barbara Hartsoe, and Sharon Sterns; sons-in-law, Mike Gunter, and Andrew Suchanek.

Memorials may be directed to a Veteran’s Association of your choice.