Colleen Murphy Nixon, 73, of Urbandale, Iowa, formerly of Clinton, passed away on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Des Moines. A Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Prince of Peace Parish. A gathering of family and friends will take place from 10:00 am until the time of the Mass. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Colleen was born in Clinton on November 2, 1952, the daughter of Daniel and Mary Kathleen (McCormick) Murphy. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School and received a degree in education from the University of Northern Iowa. Colleen married Gary Nixon on June 1, 1984, at St. Mary’s Church in Clinton.
Colleen began her career in special education and later taught 3rd grade at Henry Sabin and Bluff Elementary Schools. At the end of her career, she was the library director at Bluff and worked alongside her dog, Sunshine, who served as the school’s therapy dog. Beyond her work in education, Colleen worked with children as a softball coach and Girl Scout troop leader. She was a member of Prince of Peace Parish, served as the choir director, and volunteered on the St. Mary’s Cemetery board. She also greatly enjoyed her time on the boards of the Clinton Public Library and Prairie Pastures Dog Park. She liked listening to music, reading, watching the Cubs and Hawkeyes, and spending time with her grandson, Aidan.
Colleen is survived by her daughter, Bridget Nixon (Steve Konrady) of Urbandale, IA; her grandson, Aidan; her sisters-in-law, Marilyn Murphy and Christina Murphy; her brother-in-law, Don Armstrong; her sisters-in-law, Syd Nixon and Therese (Roger) Shaw; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gary; her brothers, Stephen and Kevin Murphy; and her sisters- and brother-in-law, Juleen Barrows, Kathleen Armstrong, and Michael Nixon.
Memorials in Colleen’s name may be made to the Society of St. Vincent DePaul or Prairie Pastures Dog Park of Clinton; IA. Online condolences may be left at www.papefh.com.
