Michael Purcell

Michael "Mike" Purcell

The steadfast husband of one wife, Kay Ann, for 54 years; The "lead by example" father of five children; The doting grandfather of 10; and the always amused great granddad of 9, with the tenth expected in August. Mike hoped to see her before he left. Mike told me the thing he wanted most was to remain here long enough to see the marriage of our granddaughter in July and the birth of our tenth great granddaughter in August. We expect he will just have a better vantage point now.

Mike made his living as a carpenter. He always had a tremendous satisfaction in driving around Idaho Falls, and seeing the contribution that his work had made to the community. Not only I.F., but Pocatello, Iona, Seattle, Island Park, Big Sky, and places in between. He and Kay Ann built houses in I.F. some of which they still own. He loved most the delicate finish work. He made beautiful changing tables for his grandbabies at the request of his daughters and a cupboard for his wife with a middle section for a microwave. One of his first projects was a jewelry cabinet that years later made him laugh, because he had attained such a much higher skill set. The jewelry box is still a prized possession and works wonderfully.

Mike loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing, camping, gardening, animals and feeding "his" birds. He was always attended by several cats and our two dogs. The old adage, "you can take the boy out of the farm, but you cannot take the farm out of the boy", was certainly true of Mike. He spent many years raising sheep, pigs, horses, and cattle. He had turkeys, chickens, rabbits, and ducks. The problem arose when we thought to butcher them. He got to the point when that hurt his heart, so butchering the darling critters went by the wayside. Mike was a wonderful gardener also and enjoyed raising food for the table. He even learned how to can that food, plum jelly being a favorite of His kids. His gardens were amazing, and people remarked that the plants were so big it looked like a jungle.

Mike had a heart of gold and was a nurturer. He had a large company of "out-laws", and was loved by each and every one of them, not to mention his own side of the family. He often remarked that he had the best sister-in-laws, on both sides of the family. He felt that he was a "blessed" man, he had the most wonderful kids, stupendous grandkids (of course), the best brothers, and the neatest extended family.

Mike knew Jesus Christ as his savior and Lord. Just before his life in the clay vessel ended, his life for eternity with Jesus began and he told us that he was going up. He let his wife know that it was urgent for him to go, that he could not wait for her, although he said he was sorry for that. What a guy. What a redeemer to soothe the broken hearts of the family in letting their faith be cemented (a construction term) by Mike's adamant joy and delight to go to the savior.

Mike was born April 11, 1944 to Gerald Everett Purcell and Florence D. Oswald Purcell; graduated from I.F. high school in 1962; married Kay Ann Robinson Aug. 3, 1963 and to this union were born 5 children: Robert, Tami, Daniele, Jerry, and Tara.

Mike was preceeded in death by his parents, his brother, Kenny and his youngest daughter, Tara. What a blessed reunion they must have had! We could also picture Mike seeing his brother-in-law, Lou cause we just knew Lou would say, "Why Mike, you rascal, it's good to see you again, friend."

Mike is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Kay Ann Purcell of Idaho Falls, ID; son Robert M (Margaret) Purcell of Idaho Falls, ID; daughter, Tamara L (Jack) Christensen of Kuna, ID; daughter, T Daniele (Mike) Hudson of Pocatello, ID; son Gerald Allen (Monique) Purcell of Idaho Falls, ID; brother, Steve (Camille) Purcell of Pasco, WA; brother, Ron (Lori) Purcell of Boise, ID; brother, Joe (Ina) Purcell of Tokyo, Japan; 10 grandchildren and 9 + 1 great grandchildren.

A celebration of Mike's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on April 28, 2018 at the Coltman first ward on the Lewisville highway, 12448 N 5th E.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to either www.give.huntsmancancer.org in Mike’s memory, or to Mike's memorial fund at gift funds.stjude.org. There you may select "search funds" from the drop down and search "Mike Purcell."

Celebration of Life