Nora Lou Murphy

Nora Lou (Ballein) Murphy, age 89, of Hanover, IL, passed away June 28, 2024, at Mercy Medical Center, in Dubuque, IA. A funeral Mass will be held Monday, July 1, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, in Hanover, at 11 a.m. Visitation will take place at the church from 9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., before Mass. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, in Hanover.

Nora was born on June 15, 1935 in Savanna, IL, the daughter of Henry “Earl” and Cecil (Sullivan) Ballein. She lost her father at the age of 5 and her mother at the age of 12 and then was welcomed into the loving arms of her uncle Roger and aunt Joan Sullivan, and their growing family.

Nora lived most of her life in Hanover, save for a short stint at Marquette University and a job at the Marshall Fields flagship store in Chicago, IL. It was during a visit home to Hanover from Chicago, that Nora started dating Bert Murphy. She moved back home shortly thereafter, and they married on June 12, 1956. The marriage lasted 53 years until Bert passed away in 2009. From the day she was married until her death, Nora never took off her wedding ring. Nora had a 20 year career as a draftsperson at the Savanna Army Depot where she excelled in her job and retired as a department supervisor. She loved gardening, reading, puzzles and was unapologetically permissive when her grandchildren would visit – thus ensuring her status as “favorite grandma.”

Nora was a devout Catholic, and active in her church – St. John The Evangelist.

Nora had a special way of making everyone in her life feel loved, listened to and respected. She was truly a loving mother, not only to her own children, but to their friends as well! Nora had the most amazing trait of always choosing kindness and patience, when faced with challenges.

Nora is preceded in death by her husband Bert Murphy; her parents, Earl and Cecil Ballein; sister Patricia Cottral; and Roger and Joan Sullivan.

Nora is survived by her four children, daughter, Erin Murphy, of Hanover, sons, Michael (Beth) Murphy, of Galena, IL, Sean Murphy of Hanover, and Kevin (Raquel) Murphy, of Evanston IL; along with five grandchildren, Matt (Laila), Karen, Luke, Cillian and Cara.

Donations/memorials will be used to support Jo Daviess Workshop, Inc. and other charities that were special to Nora.