Janice Carol Murphy, 64, of Tulare, SD, was called home by her Lord to be with her family. She passed away peacefully at Aberdeen Health and Rehab in Aberdeen, SD on Saturday, October 8, 2016 after a hard fought battle with MDS (pre-leukemia). Janice's funeral service will be held on Friday, October 14, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. in the Tulare United Church. Pastor Lorah Houser Jankord will officiate. Burial will follow at the Restlawn Memory Gardens in Huron, SD.

Visitation will be Thursday from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Thelen-Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield, SD. Thelen-Hyke Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. (www.thelen-hykefuneralhome.com)

Janice Carol Murphy was born to Robert and Vonda (Morrison) Murphy in Huron on July 22, 1952. Janice attended all grades (K-12) at Huron Schools and then achieved a Bachelor of Science in Education from Huron College.

Janice began her first teaching job at Tulare Elementary in Title 1 and then moved to fifth grade. The last years, before her retirement due to disability, were spent at the Hitchcock-Tulare Elementary School. Teaching was her life. Every student was a challenge and every challenge was met with discipline surrounded with love and understanding. Janice offered the students opportunities to experience life with trips, projects, business fairs, a variety of animals, and the chance to reach out beyond their community with Pen Pals, Trucker Buddies, and Traveling Bears. She always said she had no children of her own, but had over 400 beautiful people to guide and inspire. She hoped she made a difference. She truly enjoyed teaching and life.

Janice was a member of the Tulare United Church, Tulare American Legion Auxiliary, Relay for Life, Tulare Lions Club, Retired Teachers, and past member of Job's Daughters.

She will be greatly missed and her memory will be cherished by her family, friends and students.

Janice is survived by her brothers: Dan Murphy of Oklahoma City, OK and Bob (Joyce) Murphy of Harrisburg, SD; her niece, Barb (Keith) Wolfe of Sioux Falls, SD and their children, Richard and Kaitlin; and her nephew, Jim (Molly Buie) Murphy of Sioux Falls and his daughter, Molly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

Thursday, October 13, 2016
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Thelen-Hyke Funeral Home
101 East 7th Ave
Redfield, South Dakota 57469

Friday, October 14, 2016
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Tulare United Church
207 Ohio Street
Tulare, SD 57476

Friday, October 14, 2016
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM

Restlawn Memory Gardens
21453 SD 37
Huron, SD 57350