The funeral service for Kate Gurnsey was held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Mitchell Berean Church in Mitchell, SD. Pastor Jason Schmidt and Pastor Gary Hashley officiated, Ken Boehr was worship leader, and Christina Boehr was pianist. Larrah Kate Murphy was born January 18, 1979, in Boise, ID, to James and Barbara Murphy. Growing up, she lived in various places including Arizona, New Mexico, South Korea, and American Samoa. Katie enjoyed animals of all kinds; she especially enjoyed showing rabbits in 4-H when she was growing up and anything to do with horses. After high school, she received her Education Interpreter Certificate from Front Range Community College in Aurora, Colorado. Being a sign language interpreter for hearing impaired students was truly her passion from the first day she took an ASL class. While in Colorado during the “on campus” part of her studies, she found she liked the area.
Katie moved to Ft. Collins, CO, after she completed her studies. She worked in the Ft. Collins School District for a couple years before moving to Scottsbluff, NE, when she married Jason Gurnsey in June 2008. To this union were born two children, Jessica and Sadie. Katie was able to continue her sign language interpreting at Scottsbluff Public Schools until her tragic auto accident in October 2013.
Katie grew up attending church and was a member of Valley Bible Church in Scottsbluff at the time of her accident.
Katie passed away November 10, 2025, in Lincoln, NE. She is survived by her husband Jason; children Jessica and Sadie; parents James and Barbara Murphy; sister Becky Murphy; parents-in-law Ross and Pat Gurnsey; sisters-in-law Charlene (Cory) Yarger and Susette (Kevin) Wolfe; and numerous relatives.
Katie was preceded in death by her grandparents Joseph and Joyce Murphy and Catherine Hawkins.
Memorials may be made to Camp Rock Ministries or Community Christian School.
