Lynnda Purcell

CLARION – Lynnda Purcell, 62, of Clarion passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames with her husband by her side.  

Visitation was held from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East in Clarion. Burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion.

Friends and family were invited to the First Lutheran Church, 420 1st Street NW in Clarion, for lunch and fellowship following the burial.

Lynnda Lea, daughter of Leroy and Juanita (Weir) Watts, was born on June 23, 1959 in Clarion. She grew up in Clarion and graduated from Clarion High School in 1977. While in high school, she was active in drama, band and was a pitcher for the softball team. After high school, Lynnda attended college in Omaha studying interior design and merchandising. She moved to Des Moines where she worked for JC Penney’s and then Monsanto. 

On August 28, 1987, Lynnda was united in marriage to Tim Purcell at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. They lived in Belmond, Goldfield and settled in Clarion. Lynnda owned the clothing store in Eagle Grove and Belmond and also operated a daycare and managed rental properties for several years. Tim and Lynnda ran the skating rink in Clarion for 14 years as a family business. More recently, Lynnda worked at Hearts and Flowers.

Lynnda and Tim fostered many children over the years and worked across the state of Iowa as a foster parent liaison. Lynnda is known well for being a caregiver of children and helping others in the community. 

Lynnda enjoyed reading mysteries and being outside in the sun. She used to sew dresses and costumes and enjoyed helping friends plan events and decorate. Lynnda enjoyed spending time with grandkids, shopping, clothes and good food!

Lynnda courageously battled cancer for over 13 years. Although she was very private about her health and didn’t like people making a fuss, she very much appreciated all the thoughts and well wishes from friends and family.

Lynnda is survived by her husband Tim Purcell of 34 years, children Holly Birkey (Joe Wyllie) and grandchildren Audra and Noah; Traci (Daniel) Lee and grandchildren Carter, Grayson, and Beckham; Jason (Amanda) Purcell and their son Nolan; Miranda (Adam) Mares and their daughter Phoebe; Haley Purcell; Briannan Purcell and grandchildren Tuxley and Brooks; grandson Landon Purcell; mother Juanita Watts; siblings Delnita (Doug) Sturtz, Renee (Brian) Bisbey, Peggy Watts, Wayne (Lanette) Watts, and Les Watts; along with many foster children and extended family and friends. 

She is preceded in death by her father Leroy Watts; grandparents Wilber and Blanche Watts and Frank and Elva Weir; nephew Eric Watts; foster son Marcos Estrada; and many aunts and uncles.

Ewing Funeral Home

1801 Central Avenue East

Clarion, Iowa 50525

515-532-2233

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