Janet Elaine Murphy was born May 23, 1943 at Burke, South Dakota to Jessie and Gladys (Green) Claussen. She died December 31, 2014 at the Lake Andes Healthcare Center in Lake Andes, South Dakota at the age of 71 years.

Janet grew up and attended school in Burke. She was united in marriage to Gerald Kortmeyer and they moved to California. Together they opened a Lamp Factory and later owned and operated a gas station for several years.

Janet and Gerald had four children together: Dennis, David, Debbie and Diane. She loved playing the piano and singing. She later attended the College of the Desert in California and earned her degree in Nursing. She later advanced to the position of Hospital Administrator.

Janet later married Dr. Anthony Murphy, ND and together they owned and operated several retirement facilities. They also operated a halfway house, New Hope 4 U, for 8 years in Desert Hot Springs, California. They worked with inmates and recently release parolees. In 2006, she earned her PHD in alternative therapy. She assisted Anthony in Herbal Body Wraps.

Janet was preceded in death by her parents, her former husband, Dr. Gerald Kortmeyer, DC and her sisters, Wilma and Mildred. She is survived by her children: Dennis, David, Debbie and Diane; her husband, Dr. Anthony Murphy, ND, by ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 10:30 AM at Clausen Funeral Home in Burke.