LAKE NORDEN — Charles Eugene Purcell, 85, of Lake Norden, passed away Monday, February 22, 2021, at his residence.
Due to COVID, a family celebration of life will be held at a later date with burial in the Arlington City Cemetery.
Charles Purcell was born May 8, 1935 in Watertown to Lester and L.Mae (Sievert) Purcell. He was the youngest of five children. After surviving polio and learning to walk again, he attended school for airline station agents.
He met Beverly Fenske in Watertown and on October 23, 1956, they were married in Arlington. Throughout their marriage, they lived in Farmington, N.M., Bismarck, N.D., Rapid City, Huron, Norwalk, Iowa and then retired to Crooks.
After Beverly’s passing in 2019, Chuck moved to Brookings, and then his final move to Lake Norden. Chuck was always about family and friends. He and Bev traveled throughout the United States with family and friends every year including 12 trips to Hawaii. Chuck had many hobbies including rebuilding a Model T truck from scraps, gas engines, woodworking, gardening and watching/feeding birds.
Chuck is survived by his children, Debra (Dane) Sanger of Redfield, Douglas (Kristen) of Brookings, and Steven (Rebecca) of Urbandale, Iowa; six grandchildren, Joshua Sanger of Redfield, Sheena (Bryan) Krogman of Aurora, Jesse Purcell (Sarah) of Volga, Sarah Sanger of Brookings, Garrett Purcell of Urbandale and Grant Purcell of Urbandale; six great-grandchildren, Amelie, Elliot, Harper, Aiden, Westin and Anders. Charles has one surviving brother, Robert (Norma) Purcell, numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Beverly; his parents; his two sisters, R.Leone and Margaret, and his brother L.Wayne.
Johnson-Henry Funeral Home in Arlington is in charge of the arrangements.
Paid Obituary
