Gladys M. Purcell 1928-2009

PURCELL, GRAWE, MEITL, MASON, LARRISON, PIEROG, DELORIMER, WITHERALL, WILHOITE

Posted By: j.n. (email)
Date: 2/13/2009 at 10:08:01

telegraph Herald
Dubuque, Iowa
Friday, Feb 13, 2009

Gladys M. Purcell

Gladys M. Purcell, 80, of 2075 Avalon Road, died at 7:40 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009, at home, after fighting a courageous battle with cancer.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. today at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main St., where there will be a parish scripture wake service at 7:30 p.m.

She was born on Aug. 15, 1928, in Dyersville, daughter of Joseph and Lena (Grawe) Meitl. She graduated from Dubuque Senior High School.

She married William Purcell on June 2, 1951, in Dubuque; he preceded her in death on July 26, 2003.

Gladys worked as a secretary for the Dubuque Community Schools for 23 years, retiring in 1990.

She was a member of St. Anthony's Church and its Rosary Society and sang for several years in the funeral choir. She also was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Gladys loved traveling and cooking, and was an avid Cubs fan. She enjoyed golfing and played in many leagues and tournaments. Most of all, she enjoyed family gatherings and following her grandchildren's growth and successes.

Surviving are two daughters, Cheryl L. (Randy) Mason and Barbara J. Larrison, both of Dubuque; two sons, Kenneth P. (Karen Pierog) Purcell, of River Forest, Ill., and David D. (Patricia) Purcell, of Georgetown, Texas; six grandchildren, Nicole (D.J.) Jedlicka, Ryan Mason, Casey Purcell, Kimberly (Justin) Brown, Eric Purcell and P.J. Larrison; a sister, Rosemary (Larry) deLorimier, of Gaithersburg, Md.; and a sister-in-law, Lydia Meitl, of St. Charles, Ill.

She also was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, Cy, Gene, Bud, Donald and Bobby Meitl; and two sisters, Mickey Witherall and Virgie Wilhoite.

In lieu of flowers, a Gladys M. Purcell Memorial Fund has been established.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com.
The Purcell family wishes to thank Hospice of Dubuque and her caregivers for their compassion, care and support.