Obituaries - Saturday, February 21

Irene Gorman

September 19, 1947 - February 19, 2026

Irene Gorman, 78, of Salina, Kansas passed away Thursday, February 19, 2026. Irene was born in Salina Kansas on September 19, 1947.

She graduated from Brookville high school. She married Jerry Jones in Minneapolis Kansas. Together they had two children, Annette Kidwell and Jerry Jones. She worked as a beautician and an employee of Tony's pizza.

Irene's husband, Jerry, became a dialysis patient. After training at the hospital in Wichita, Irene was able to care for him in their home. This ignited her passion for nursing. Irene graduated from Kansas Westland University with a bachelor's degree in nursing in 1992.

Along her journey Irene was a hospice nurse as well as a long-term care nurse. Also, in her career as a nurse, she worked for a parish in Wichita, caring for parishioners and their families.

Survivors include her husband, Richard Gorman; daughter, Annette Kidwell; son, Jerry Jones; sisters, Virginia Clark, Grace Barben, and Helen McClellan; and brothers, Bill Habiger and Bob Habiger.

A visitation will be held Monday February 23, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 230 E Cloud St. Salina, KS. A Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral mass will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Burial will follow the service at Minneapolis Highland Cemetery, K 106 Hwy, Minneapolis, KS.

Ryan Mortuary

Douglas W. Murphy

November 24, 1959 - February 15, 2026

Douglas W. Murphy, 66, passed away on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

Doug was born on November 24, 1959, in Osborne to Doyle W. Murphy and Dixie Lee Murphy (Huntley). He graduated from Sylvan Unified High School and continued his education at North Central Kansas Vo-Tech, earning his degree as a diesel mechanic.

Doug began his career with General Motors in Kansas City. He later returned to north-central Kansas, where he worked for Heller Farms in Hunter. Over the years, he also took on various side jobs, earning a reputation as a skilled and dependable handyman. After moving to Russell, Kansas, Doug worked for Dwight Oil and Enterprise Oil Company. Eventually, after relocating to Salina, he held various positions before returning to one of his true passions—farming.

On July 23, 1982, Doug married Sherri Rippie and were blessed with four children: Derrick, Kristen, Kyle, and Jordan.

Doug had a deep love for the outdoors. In his youth he was an avid hunter and trapper and especially treasured his fishing and hunting trips to Canada with family and friends. He enjoyed anything fast on wheels, cruising country roads, spending time in the sunshine, commentating at his children's ballgames, and working on tractors or equipment. Known for his friendly nature, Doug never met a stranger and was often the first person friends or neighbors would call when something needed fixing.

He was a member of the Hunter, Kansas 4-H Club in his youth and the Masonic Lodge of Sylvan Grove.

Doug is survived by his wife, Sherri Murphy of Salina; his children, Derrick (Lisa) Murphy of Salina, Kyle (Miranda) Murphy of Bennington, Kristen (Ryan) of Bennington, and Jordan (Wyatt) of Vesper; 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild, who lovingly knew him as "Papa Doug"; his mother, Dixie Hupfer of Salina; his brother, Russell (Paula) of Beloit; his sisters, Renee Foster of Salina, Terri Hupfer of Isleton, California, and Teena Hupfer of Denver, Colorado; and a special aunt, Dina Faye Conn of Downs.

He was preceded in death by his father, Doyle Murphy; his stepfather, John Hupfer; his brother-in-law, Randy Foster; and his brother, Travis Murphy.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Ryan Mortuary, and live-streamed. A meal and time of sharing will follow at the family farm.

Memorial contributions may be made to OCCK (1710 W. Schilling Road, Salina, KS) or Fresenius Kidney Care of Salina.

Ryan Mortuary