Wallace (Wally) Purcell, age 78, of Carrington, ND died Good Friday, April 2, 2010 at St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck, ND.

Wallace Richard Purcell was born December 14, 1931 in Carrington North Dakota, the son of Earl J. and Gladys (Foulston) Purcell. He was one of 12 children who were raised in rural Carrington in the “Hawksnest” area. He was inducted into the Army in August 1951 and served in the Korean conflict with the Co F 180th Infantry and the 7th Armored Division. He married Carrie Helen Puterbaugh on August 27, 1953, at Jamestown, ND. Wally and Carrie had four children from their union of marriage that lasted almost 56 years.

Wally worked at several different occupations from cow puncher to auto mechanic where he eventually owned and operated A&T Motors Inc. in Carrington, ND. He left Carrington in 1973 when he entered civil service work. Working for the Department of Defense he was mainly stationed at Ft. Carson in Colorado Springs, Co. While serving in the Army Reserves as a Warrant Officer his last active duty assignment was to support Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm at the age of 59. He retired in 1991 and moved back to Carrington with his wife Carrie in 1995 to be near family.

Wally loved being with his grandchildren who gave him great joy. He played, teased, educated, and disciplined as needed. As one grandchild stated “he is the smartest man I know because he knows so much about so many things”. There were many “Gooped” up toys that had been saved from the garbage for another day of play. He also loved to tell stories about his own childhood adventures with his brothers. He could fix anything from the most delicate jewelry to a car engine. He continued to tell family stories in his annual Christmas letter.

Wally was a man who loved God, his family, and his country. Wally was a member of Faith Baptist Church and served as a Deacon for many years. He gave many sermons over the years in absence of a Pastor. His church family was very important to him especially Pastor Corey Pepple who thought of Wally as his second father. He especially enjoyed the camaraderie of church dinners. The “potluck” after his funeral celebrates one of his favorite times to visit with people.

He was Foster County Veterans Service Officer for a decade. He gave full time service to a part time job. It was important to him that the veterans who fought for our Country were cared for and he worked diligently to assist many to obtain their retirement or disability. He presented many veterans’ families with the American Flag at funeral services as part of the Honor Guard. When his health began to fail he persisted in that position until he could help find an excellent replacement who would care about the veterans as much as he did. He was a proud member of the VFW and the American Legion.

He is survived by his wife Carrie, his children Virgil Purcell, Madison, WI; Mariann (Gary) Doeling, rural Carrington; Robert Purcell, Worthington, MN; and Laura (Earnest) Marlow, Carrington, ND; his 7 grandchildren: Jess, Nicholas, and Tyler Doeling, Trinity Purcell, Morgan, and Logan Marlow, Lily Marie Purcell, and one great grandson, Connor; as well as 3 step grandchildren Mylissa, Ariel, and Tara Marlow. Also his sisters: Norma (Lyle) Neumiller, Wanda Sands, Barbara (Cort) Strobel, and Sheila (Robert) O’Connell; and brothers: Bruce (Carolyn) and Donald (Kathleen) Purcell.

Wally was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers Rawleigh, Clayton, Henry Samuel, as well as 2 sisters Doris Henning Vraa and Rosemary Mystrol and her husband Dave Mystrol.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Foster County Veterans Service Office at 1000 5th St. N. Carrington, ND 58421. It is the wishes of the family that this money be used to transport veterans for medical or other appointments.

Funeral Service: Faith Baptist Church, Carrington, ND

Date and Time: Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 2:00PM

Interment: Carrington Cemetery, Carrington, ND