Full Obituary

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 will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, August 24, 2013 at St. Bernard-St. Hedwig's Catholic Church in Thorp. Rev. Al Jakubowski will officiate and burial will follow in New St. Hedwig's Catholic Cemetery. Her grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Visitation will be held at Thorp Funeral Home on Friday, August 23, 2013 from 5pm to 8pm, with a 7:30pm rosary service, and at church, on Saturday, from 9:30am 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-1960's. 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; thirteen grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; one brother: Joe Lato of Thorp; one sister: Ann Zajack 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.