John William Purcell
October 1, 1945 – March 12, 2024
Bemidji, MN 56601, USA
About John
John William Purcell of Bemidji, Minn., formerly of East Grand Forks, Minn., died Tuesday, March 12, 2024. He was 78.
The eldest son of William Thomas and Marie Anna (Mikish) Purcell, John was born Oct. 1, 1945, in Grand Forks, N.D. He attended Sacred Heart elementary and middle school in East Grand Forks. After his mother died in 1955, he lived briefly with a foster family on a farm near Greenbush, Minn., an experience that cemented his love of hard work and hearty breakfasts.
He was a standout football player at East Grand Forks Senior High and part of the first class to graduate from the then-new school in 1964. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1964 to 1970 and was stationed aboard the USS Neches during the Vietnam War.
After his honorable discharge, John returned to East Grand Forks, where he married Donna Louise Klint on July 17, 1971, and with her raised two children. He worked at Ryan Potato Co. in East Grand Forks and, for most of his career, at the North Dakota State Mill in Grand Forks. He was an active member of VFW Post 3817 and served as post commander in the mid-1980s.
A host of epic basement and backyard parties, he especially liked to hold court behind the bar on St. Patrick’s Day wearing his green derby hat. He was a passionate NFL fan and enjoyed fishing, road trips, and dining out. He and Donna moved to Bemidji, where they’d often camped in summertime, after he retired in 2005.
John is survived by his wife of 52 years, Donna; his children, Chad Purcell (Nichole Aksamit Purcell) of Des Moines, Iowa, and Joni (Chris) Hager of Bemidji; his siblings, Brian (Jeannie) Purcell of East Grand Forks and Mary Moncada of Oakdale, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Richard.
memorial service
Memorial Services for John
March 16, 2024
Sanford Health Neilson Place 1000 Anne St NW, Bemidji, MN 56601, USA
Services will be in the Chapel. There will be an hour of visitation before the service.
Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home