Sonia Mae Murphy

Sonia Mae Murphy (Holm) 85, died April 8, 2026 at Mercy Hospital, Coon Rapids, MN after a short fight against breast cancer.

Sonia was born in Warroad, MN on March 30, 1941 to her parents Sylvia Eleanore (Olson) and Oscar Martin Holm. She grew up on the farm that her maternal grandparents had settled. As a child she loved to have picnics on the hillside with her dog and cat. Family picnics with extended family and friends was a formative memory for her, as she enjoyed this valuable time spent with the ones she loved. Sonia graduated from Warroad High School in 1959. After graduation she moved to the twin cities to live with 5 other women in a house in S Minneapolis. Early employment include working at Cargill and Abbott Northwestern Hospital where she met many life long friends. During this time one of her roommates set her up on a date with a young man from southern MN, Leonard I. Murphy. On September 11, 1965 they were married at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Richfield MN. They were three weeks shy of 59 years of marriage when her Husband Leonard passed away on August 20, 2024. To start their new life together they rented an upper apartment of a house on Elliot Avenue in S Minneapolis. Here they would start their family with the birth of their two daughters , Kimberly and Laurie. Then in 1969 they designed and built their dream house in Spring Lake Park, MN. Together they did all of the finishing work on their new house and made it a home that they both were proud of. It was here that they were blessed with a third child, their son, Mark.

Sonia was a very creative individual who encouraged her children to explore their interests. She was lucky to be able to stay home as they grew up, nurturing their gifts and talents. She kept busy sewing most of her daughters clothes, and taking care of the yard that her and Leonard had started from seed, planting beautiful flowers all around. Baking was something she also loved. She had learned to bake delicious cinnamon rolls from her godmother, and the birthday cakes she would decorate and bake for her kids were her way to celebrate their special day. She was always there to sew a dress, or to make cookies to send to school for her kids to share with their class. Family was so important and her children always felt her commitment and love.

Two of the most important people in her life were her grandchildren. Sonia made sure she was able to be at every school activity, event or concert. She doted on them, spending as much time as she could with them. Cultivating their strengths and interest brought her joy. She loved to send them cards on every holiday and birthday. Connecting with phone calls to keep up to date on how they were doing and just checking in was something she always looked forward to.

Sonia was preceded in death by her parents Sylvia and Oscar, her brothers Russel and John Holm, her husband Leonard I Murphy, daughter Laurie Ann Murphy and son Mark A. Murphy.

She is survived, loved and deeply missed by her daughter Kimberly K Murphy, son in law James Shoop, and her two grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held on July 8, 2026 with visitation beginning at 1pm and service at 2pm at Choice Cremation, 7398 University Avenue NE Fridley MN 55432. 763-571-5030.