Edward “Ed” Purdy, 83, of Spirit Lake, passed away on Sunday, December 24, 2023, at Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
A celebration of life was held on Friday, December 29, 2023, at the First Presbyterian Church in Spirit Lake. Arrangements are under the direction of the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake.
Online condolences may be left at www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com
Edward Allison Purdy was born on February 17, 1940, the son of Harry and Eliza (Jetter) Purdy in Sioux City, Iowa. He moved to Spirit Lake his junior year, where he not only met the love of his life, but also got involved with activities like debate that would be so important to him. After graduating from Spirit Lake High School, Ed continued his education receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Iowa, where he was on the debate team. He then went on to further his education at South Dakota State University earning a Master of Arts degree. Ed was a Speech Communication Teacher at Iowa Lakes Community College for years, but after retirement spent time working at the Spirit Lake campus of Iowa Lakes as well as spending time working at the Abbie Gardner cabin. He had so much interest in history and in sharing that with others.
He was united in marriage to Janice Baker on August 18, 1961, at the United Methodist Church in Spirit Lake, and they welcomed their daughter Marcy in 1971. They were a very close family and enjoyed so many activities together, from early morning skiing in the summer to various trips in the winter… they took advantage of their time together. He was very proud of his daughter who took his advice and went into teaching. He was also so proud of his grandson and was excited to see the direction Carter’s life would take.
If you knew Ed, you knew that the most important thing to him was taking care of people. He cared so much for his family, and he was brought so much joy making them happy…From thoughtful presents at Christmas to the safest car for his grandson, he spared no cost to make these things happen.
In his free time, Ed enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, spending the winters in Florida with Jan for many years. Some of their travels brought them to Caribbean Islands, Mayan ruins, whitewater rafting, ghost towns, Civil War battlefields, and many more. As Jan says, “We were two drifters off to see the world.” Ed was excited that his daughter and family had the chance –thanks to him–to also experience traveling.
He also enjoyed cheering on his grandson Carter at sporting events. Many of you remember his tried-and-true vintage stadium seat that he carried into the bleachers each time.
Ed also loved to spend time with friends playing cribbage or poker or backgammon.
Ed had a wonderful sense of humor… And a wonderful smile and glint in his eyes as you can see in so many pictures of him.
Also, Ed loved a good dark chocolate, which we are hoping many of you will enjoy with us as we celebrate his life.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife Jan of 62 years; daughter Marcy (Mark) Toews of Spirit Lake; grandson Carter Toews of Spirit Lake; sister-in-law Joyce Tague of Council Bluffs, IA; many nieces and nephews; his dog Lucy and grand dogs Tripp and Huck.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
