Obit: Purkapile, Nellie A. (1920 - 2011)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Purkapile, Budzinski, Lato, Trybula, Straskowski, Okonek, Zajack, Jakubowski

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 28 Aug 2013

Purkapile, Nellie A. (9 MAY 1920 - 20 AUG 2011)

Nellie A. Purkapile, 93, Marshfield, formerly of Thorp, was called home to our Lord on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013, at the Marshfield Care Center. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, Aug. 24, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church in Thorp. Rev. Al Jakubowski officiated. Burial followed in New St. Hedwig’s Catholic Cemetery. Her grandsons served as pallbearers.

Nellie Ann Lato was born on May 9, 1920, in the town of Reseburg, rural Thorp, the daughter of Felix and Josephine (nee Budzinski) Lato. She was raised on the family farm and received her education at Goff School. Nellie married Donald Purkapile on June 9, 1940, at St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church in Thorp. They later separated. She took over and operated her family farm until the mid-1960s. Nellie then worked as a cheese maker for Lombard Cheese Factory, Thorp, and later at Stewart’s Redville Dairy, Greenwood, until retiring in 1981. After her retirement, Nellie moved to Marshfield to be near her family. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Marshfield, and its PCCW. In her spare time, Nellie enjoyed sewing, gardening, and berry and mushroom picking. Nellie will be greatly missed by her children and grandchildren.

Nellie is survived by her children, Bob (Mary) Purkapile, Marshfield, Theresa (Jerry) Trybula, Willard, Arlene (Roger) Straskowski, Thorp, and Donna (Keith) Okonek, Chili; a daughter-in-law, Sue Purkapile, Gilman; 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one brother, Joe Lato, Thorp; one sister, Ann Zajack, Thorp; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Raymond; three brothers, Vincent Lato, Stanley Lato and Paul Lato; and three sisters, Mary Grabowski, Rose Long and Stella Lato.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude’s Hospital or to Feed the Poor.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Thorp Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.