Nina Marie Murphy was born September, 27, 1972 in Knoxville, Iowa the daughter of Charley and Julie (Varner) Fisher.

She was raised in Pleasantville and attended school there. In her early high school years, Nina and her family moved to Knoxville. She graduated from Knoxville High School with the Class of 1991. Nina then attended Iowa State University and graduated from Simpson College with a Bachelor’s Degree and certificate of Early Childhood Development. She taught in the Pleasantville, Knoxville and Melcher-Dallas school systems. Nina later worked for DeVore Motors, Market Link and retired from Windstream in Newton.

Nina was united in marriage to Martin Murphy on December 17, 2016. They enjoyed many wonderful years together. They loved a good road trip together that normally included a shopping excursion. Nina also enjoyed crafting, scrap booking, reading and going on bicycle rides. She was an animal lover and especially enjoyed her puppy, Gypsy. Nina will be remembered as someone who enjoyed life and her family and friends. Most importantly, she was a Southridge Mall model in her early teens.

Nina passed away Thursday, April 10, 2025 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics at the age of 52 years.

Those left to cherish Nina’s memory include her husband, Marty of Knoxville; daughter, Stacia (A.J.) Adkins and their children: Navy, Kipton and Memphis of Runnells; step-children: Maggie (Tyler) Penrod and their children: Greyson and Levi; Emily Murphy, Kellen Murphy and Sophie Murphy; parents, Charley and Julie Fisher; brother, Trevor (Amy) Fisher and their son, Waylon and many other family members and friends.



Nina’s last selfless act was to donate her body to the University of Iowa for advanced study of Muscular Dystrophy. A Celebration of Life will be planned for a later date. For those desiring, memorials in Nina’s memory may be made to the Marion County Humane Society.