Obit: Purkapile, Nellie Ann #3 (1920 - 2013)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Purkapile, Budzinski, Lato, Trybula, Straskowski, Okonek, Zajak, Grabowski, Long, Jakubowski

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co, WI) 8/28/2013

Purkapile, Nellie Ann (9 May 1920 - 20 August 2013)

Nellie A. Purkapile, age 93, of Marshfield, formerly of Thorp, was called home to our Lord on Tuesday, August 20, 2013, at the Marshfield Care Center. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2013, at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp. Rev. Al Jakubowski officiated and burial followed in New St. Hedwig Catholic Cemetery. Her grandsons served as pallbearers. Visitation was held at Thorp Funeral Home on Friday, August 23, 2013, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a 7:30 rosary service, and at church, on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.

Nellie Ann Lato was born on May 9, 1920, in the Town of Reseburg, rural Thorp, the daughter of Felix and Josephine (Budzinski) Lato. She was raised on the family farm and received her education at Goff School. Nellie was united in marriage to 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 in Thorp, and later at Stewart’s Redville Dairy, in 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, in Marshfield, and its PCCW. In her spare time, Nellie enjoyed sewing, gardening, and berry and mushroom picking.

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

She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Raymond; three brothers: Vincent, Stanley and Paul Lato; and three sisters: Mary Grabowski, Rose Long, and Stella Lato. Nellie will be greatly missed by her children and grandchildren.

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.