Rita J. Whalen Purcell 1923-2016

WHALEN, PURCELL, KISTING, KOLFENBACH, MELSSEN, BROADWAY, MCCORMICK, JACKSON, KELLY

Posted By: j.n. (email)
Date: 4/10/2016 at 12:20:42

Rita J. Whalen Purcell

Rita J. Whalen Purcell, age 93, of Dubuque, IA, was called home peacefully at 12:30 a.m. on Friday, March 4, 2016 at Stonehill Care Center. To honor Rita's life, funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, March 7, 2016, at the Church of the Nativity, 1225 Alta Vista, with Msgr. James L. Miller officiating. The rosary will be recited at the church by the Nativity Rosary Society prior to the time of services. To celebrate Rita's life, family and friends may visit from 10:00 until 10:45 a.m. on Monday, March 7, 2016. at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Rita was born on February 14, 1923, in Dubuque, daughter of Edgar and Mary Ann (Kisting) Kolfenbach.

Rita was born and raised in Dubuque and would proudly receive her first degree from Clarke College in science and home economics. She would venture even further, along her path to higher education, at Norte Dame, where she would double major in chemistry and theology. Rita would invest the early years of her working career in teaching and would share her wealth of knowledge, time and talents with countless children at several schools, including the Academy of the Visitation from 1955 until 1969.

Rita would soon find her first love, Michael G. Whalen, and they would be united in marriage on December 23, 1971 in Joliet, Illinois. They would be blessed with 19 wonderful years together before he was called home ahead of her on November 3, 1990.

Rita would continue on in her working career as a nutritionist and supervisor for the Evergreen Eldercare Program for Will County in Joliet, Il. She would generously devote her free-time as a board member with the Joliet Headstart Program, as president of the Joliet Home Economics Association and as a teacher at the Joliet Teachers College.

Rita would next meet her second love, John C. "Jack" Purcell, and they would be united in marriage on June 3, 2000, at St. Mary's Church in Dubuque. Sadly, John would also be called home ahead of her on November 24, 2002.

Rita was a dedicated member of St. Mary's Church and Rosary Society, St. Mary's Over 60 Club, Nativity Church and faithfully served as Deanery President of the Dubuque Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women. When Rita wasn't busy serving others within her community, she could be found enjoying some time at her craft table, sewing her latest creation, traveling extensively throughout the U.S., or simply indulging in a great game of Euchre or Bridge with family and friends. Rita's undeniable commitment to giving of herself for the betterment of others around her has not gone unnoticed. She now finds herself resting from her labors in an eternal state of peace, reunited with her loved ones who have traveled home ahead of her.

Those left to cherish Rita's memory include
her six step-children,
Karen (Eugene) Wild, West Des Moines, IA,
Kevin (Sue) Purcell, Dubuque,
Terry (Patricia) Purcell, Arlington, TX,
Randy Purcell, Dubuque,
Danny (Laura) Purcell, Omaha, NE
and Greg (Christina) Purcell, Elmhurst, IL;

her nieces and nephews,
John (Joan) Melssen, Burnsville, MN,
David (Colleen) Melsen, Harrison, AR,
Mary Rae (Ken) Broadway, Dubuque,
Ann (John) McCormick, Caledonia, IL
and Jane (Terry) Jackson, Bellevue, IA;

and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Michael G. Whalen; her second husband, John C. "Jack" Purcell; 2 sisters, Arnolda Melssen and Rosemary Kelly; and 1 brother, Rev. Edgar C. Kolfenbach.

A Rita J. Whalen Purcell memorial fund has been established, which will be distributed among Rita's favorite charities.

The family would like to thank the wonderful nurses and staff at Stonehill for all of their sincere and compassionate care.

Online condolences may be left for the family at behrfuneralhome.com