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Lorna Ruth Murphy Agard

April 18, 1945 - December 14, 2020

Lorna Ruth Murphy Agard, 75, died December 14, 2020 at Trinity Center at Luther Park of complications from dementia and aphasia.

Lorna was born in Hays, Kansas, on April 18, 1945, the third child of Rollen and Esther Murphy. The family lived in Woodston, Kansas, where Lorna grew up and graduated from Woodston High School. After graduating with a degree in education from Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas, Lorna taught Head Start and 2nd grade in Hutchinson, Kansas, for four years. In 1971, Lorna was hired by the Ankeny Community School District and proceeded to teach 2nd grade at Southeast Elementary for one year and Terrace Elementary for the next 35 years. She took immense pride in working with her students and following them through life. Lorna was also an active member in the Ankeny Education Association and served on numerous committees.

Lorna married Don Agard in 1981 and had two children. She took special pleasure playing with and watching her children and grandchildren grow and participate in activities. Lorna had a passion for growing roses and gardening and enjoyed growing things every summer. She was a fantastic cook and all of the family holidays were centered around her delicious meals. Lorna loved traveling and enjoyed many fantastic places with her family and friends. After retirement, Lorna always looked forward to meeting with her friendship groups. She was an active member of the Ankeny Presbyterian Church where she served on numerous committees and served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and an APC Wednesday teacher.

Lorna is survived by her husband, Don; two sons, Jay (Ashli) of Adel, Iowa, and Shon (Laura) of Denver, Colorado; a stepson, Bret (Desi) of Clive, Iowa; a stepdaughter, Jodi Houser of Owatonna, Minnesota; and nine grandchildren: Kenten, Laikyn, Brylin, Caeben, Ethan, Jake, Cole, Bree and Brooke. She was preceded in death by her brother, Dr. Marvin L Murphy; sister, Wilma Murphy Sherman; and parents, Rollen and Esther Murphy.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staffs at Arbor Springs, New Horizons, The Journey, Trinity Center at Luther Park, and Unity Point Hospice for all their attentive care over the past five years during her difficult struggle. A special thanks goes to Jessica Lilland, Lorna’s Palliative Care Nurse, for her very loving care during these entire five years.

Due to coronavirus concerns, a private family service will be held at Ankeny Memorial Gardens. Friends can share your support and memories with the family at MemorialServicesOfIowa.com. Lorna has been cremated and will be buried in the Ames Municipal Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to New Horizons Adult Day Center, 718 NE Grant, Ankeny, IA, 50021.