Patricia Purdie

Patricia M. Purdie, age 73, of Faribault, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 7, 2012 at her home with her family at her side.             Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, Faribault. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.             Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory, 607 2nd Ave. NW, Faribault on Monday from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday for one hour prior to the services at the church. There will be no reviewal on Tuesday.             Patricia Marguerite (Pelinka) was born on February 20, 1939 in Faribault, MN to Edward F. and Marguerite G. (Shea) Pelinka.  She attended Immaculate Conception School and is a 1957 graduate of Bethlehem Academy, Faribault, MN. After graduating she was employed by the Prudential Company in Minneapolis then returned to Faribault and became the "Girl Friday" at the practice of Dr. D.J. Studer. After marriage she was employed at Tillisch Optical in Mankato, MN, the Faribault Daily News and Gopher Shooter's Supply in Faribault MN. She married Bruce A Purdie; the love of her life, on June 11, 1959 and together they raised their children John and Susan. Patty worked outside the home for the first five years of their marriage so that Bruce could attend college and was a busy homemaker after that. Patty is well known and will be remembered as a mother to many. She loved this role and reveled in it. Her family included most everyone she met and spoke to. She opened her home to many needful persons, including as a licensed Foster Care parent, over her 53 years of marriage. Patty was a Charter Member and served as a volunteer for 20 years with the Faribault Area Hospice. She served as a volunteer at Immaculate Conception and Bethlehem Academy schools during the years her children were students there. She is a life long member of the Divine Mercy Catholic Church and a member of The Rosary Society at that Church. She served as a volunteer on many occasions at that Church including as a member of the Organ Committee in1978. Patty made friends across the country as she and her husband took to touring with a travel trailer in tow after their retirement. Her passions included creating original items by crafting, knitting and quilting. There are an untold number of people that have received an exquisitely fashioned gift made by Patty's hands. We know that she hand knit and donated over 200 Prayer Shawls for the Prayer Shawl Ministry at Divine Mercy Church. As she weakened from the effects of disease, her Prayer Shawl knitting was the last activity that was given up. Life was full and good for Patricia. She will be missed; but the wonderful loving impact of her life on family and friends will be with them always. Patty is preceded in death by her parents, Edward F. and Marguerite G. Pelinka. She is survived by her husband, Bruce, her son, John S. Purdie (Mary Beth); daughter Susan D. Purdie (Laura Young) of Minneapolis, MN; granddaughters Claire E. and Morgan L. Purdie; two brothers: Robert E. Pelinka (Carol) of Carol Stream, IL and Richard J. Pelinka of Duluth, MN; a sister, Mary Anne (Jerry) Sammon of Faribault, MN, cousins, nephews and nieces. The family requests that memorial gifts be given per the donors wish or to the Faribault Area Hospice, BA school at Faribault, MN, Divine Mercy Church at Faribault, MN, or to an organization of special help to those dealing with lung cancer:                                     Cancer Grace: http://cancergrace.org /                                     4616 25th Ave. NE                                     #300                                     Seattle, WA 98105-4183