Lawrence V. Murphy, age 77, of Brandon, S.D., died Monday, March 31, 2003, at Brandon Assisted Living.

Lawrence was born March 2, 1926, to Ed and Margaret (DeMar) Murphy in Oldham, S.D. After high school, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict.

Lawrence attended Nettleton Business College and went on to own and operate Murphy’s Bookkeeping Service.

Lawrence was a member of Risen Savior Catholic Church in Brandon, a longtime member of the VFW, and was instrumental in the expansion of the Military Order of Cooties (MOC). He was a past Seam Squirrel of Cootie Pup Tent 1; past Grand Commander of the South Dakota Cooties, and past Ninth District Supreme Commander of MOC.

Lawrence is survived by one sister, Frances Donovan of Albert Lea; one brother, Virgil Murphy of Elk River, Minn.; one sister, Kathryn Cotter of Colton, S.D.: and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation was Wednesday, April 2, at 4 p.m. at Barnett-Lewis Funeral Home, Sioux Falls, S.D., with a scripture vigil at 8 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial was 10 a.m. today, April 3, at Risen Savior Church in Brandon.