Kellie Murphy Woodhouse

Pocatello - Kellie Murphy Woodhouse, 49, died June 29, 2008 at her home surrounded by her family, friends and flowers. She was born on December 26, 1958 in Detroit, MI, the daughter of Charles Henry and Eleanor June Hansen Murphy. Her family moved to Urbana, IL and from there to Valparaiso, IN where she completed her primary and secondary education. She briefly attended Valparaiso University and then moved on to the University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She received her BSN degree and has since worked as a Registered Nurse in various capacities over the years.

While at the University of Iowa she met and fell in love with William Martin Woodhouse, who was in medical school there. They were married at Christ Lutheran Church in Valparaiso, IN on June 18, 1983. They immediately relocated to Casper, WY where her husband completed his family medicine residency and she worked as a nurse and diabetic educator. Their three children, who were the center of her life, were born while they lived in Wyoming - a son, Murphy Joseph Woodhouse, in Casper and two daughters, Emily Hunter Woodhouse and Madeline Elizabeth Woodhouse, after they had moved to Sheridan. They lived in Sheridan, WY for eight years where she also worked part-time as a public health nurse and childbirth educator.

In 1994 the family relocated to Pocatello where they are members of Grace Lutheran Church. For several years she taught childbirth education classes at Portneuf Medical Center. She was a member of the Friends of the Marshall Public Library and a women's book club. Kellie always enjoyed being physically fit and active. She played tennis, walked, bicycled and cross-country skied. She was a master seamstress and loved her garden.

Most of all, though, Kellie was kind. She always saw the best in people and treated everybody she met with respect and honor. She was smart, warm, funnier than hell and generous to a fault. Her friendship was cherished by all who knew her. The home she created was a magnet and refuge for untold numbers of children, with a cheerful word, a warm meal and a fresh chocolate chip cookie always at hand. She constantly sought out opportunities to comfort and care for anyone in need - isolated old folks, over-worked mothers, those suffering loss or illness, the hungry, the homeless.

For the time being, she leaves behind a loving husband and three strong children - Murphy, Madeline and Emily of Pocatello. She is also survived by her parents, Chuck and Ellie Murphy of Loudon, TN; a brother, Mark James Murphy of Concord, NC; and three sisters - Jo-Ellen (Dan) Tunacik of Valparaiso, IN; Shannon (Tim) Hannon of Commerce Township, MI and Maureen (Greg) Weber of Beaverton, OR.

A celebration of Kellie's life will be held at Grace Lutheran Church (1350 Baldy Ave.) this Thursday, July 3rd at 10 AM. Following the service there will be a meal hosted by the church. Those wishing to contribute flowers to the service or food for the meal should contact the church directly at (208) 237-0467. Per Kellie's wishes, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Idaho Food Bank or Portneuf Greenway Foundation in her name. Food Bank donations may be sent to 919 S. 2nd Ave, Pocatello, ID 83201 and Greenway donations may be sent to P.O. Box 71, Pocatello, ID 83204. Arrangements are under the direction of Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel.