Phyllis Pursell

Phyllis Pursell was a very special woman who dedicated her life to her family. Always caring and thoughtful, she found great happiness in the simple pleasures of life. Phyllis was content to live in the moment, appreciating the family, friends and events that brought her life extraordinary joy.

If anything is remembered about 1912, it is the tragic sinking of the Titanic. However, just a year before, the Indianapolis 500 made its debut, becoming the fastest, richest race in the world. For Julian and Edith (Day) Jones, of Elkland, Missouri, neither of these events was as important as the birth of their first child. Phyllis was born on October 18, 1912, much to the delight of her parents. As time went on, Phyllis was joined by her two younger sisters, Georgia and Ruth, and together they made many great childhood memories on their family farm. They also had lots of family in and around the area, which made for many special holiday gatherings. Before playtime, though, the girls had to tend to their share of the daily farm chores, as well as attend school in the town's one-room schoolhouse.

Phyllis' graduating class had 17 students, including her high school sweetheart, Ralph Pursell. The sweethearts continued to date after high school and were happily married on May 6, 1933. Phyllis always treasured her wedding day as the most wonderful day in her life. Ralph and Phyllis spent the next sixty-nine years together, raising their precious daughter, Sandra, and sharing many wonderful memories as a family. Besides being a devoted wife and mother, Phyllis worked for many years as a bookkeeper at Parson's, an office supply company in Kansas. Ralph worked in Poultry management for 45 years, which led the family to move on several occasions.

After Ralph retired in 1972, he and Phyllis made their home in Springfield, Missouri, where they enjoyed retirement life together. Phyllis just loved the Springfield area and always felt right at home here. In her more leisure moments, she enjoyed keeping her hands busy with some sewing, which she loved to do. In 1999, however, the couple decided to make one last move to Plainwell, Michigan, to live with their daughter, Sandra, and be near their grandchildren. Sadly. Phyllis lost her beloved husband, Ralph, in 2002.

Phyllis loved spending her time being a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother to the people who brought her life extraordinary joy. She will be dearly missed, yet frequently remembered.

Phyllis Pursell, age 94, died on Wednesday, May 2, 2007, in Plainwell, MI. Members of her family include her daughter, Sandra Fiebiger, of Plainwell; 3 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Besides her husband, Ralph, Phyllis was preceded in death by two sisters, Georgia and Ruth. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 12 noon on Friday, May 11, at the Fraker Funeral Home in Marshfield, Missouri. Graveside funeral services will be held the same day at 12:30 p.m. at the Pleasant View Cemetery. Please visit Phyllis' memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or photo of her or sign her online guest book.