Sharon K. (Kenan) Purcell was born Nov. 8, 1935, in Perry, Iowa, and passed away May 24, 2023, in Payson, Arizona.
Sharon grew up on a farm in Dawson, Iowa, with her parents, Albert “Dale” Kenan and Eleanor (Townsand) Kenan. This is where she learned to love goats, dogs and cats as well as country home cooking and baking.
In her free time Sharon loved riding horses and being with family and friends.
Before graduation, she caught Larry Purcell’s eye, and this led to many dates of dancing, roller skating and wonderful times together. It was love at first sight for Larry. After he won her heart, she was truly devoted to him. The two were married in 1954, and this union was blessed with two sons, Bret and Darin.
After they were married, they moved to Perry, where Sharon began working at Brenton National Bank. They lived in an apartment for about four years and then moved into their home on W. Second Street, where they lived until 1976, when they moved into a new home on Summer Meadows.
Sharon raised her sons and when they graduated from high school, she worked again as a bank teller and then as an administrative assistant for both the Federal Land Bank and Nabisco in Des Moines.
As the Purcell Photography business expanded, Sharon worked with Larry until both of them retired and moved to Gold Canyon, Arizona.
Sharon cared for Larry at home until he passed away in 2013, and now she has rejoined the Love of her Life.
Sharon was always a do-er. If you wanted something done, everyone knew she would help take care of it.
She was a member of the First Christian Church and had active roles serving on various committees.
She volunteered at her son’s schools and was a loving mother, grandmother and everyone’s biggest cheerleader. Sharon always had your back.
Sharon and Larry enjoyed traveling to several areas of the U.S. Her dream of traveling to Europe was realized in 2017, where she toured seven countries.
She enjoyed painting, knitting, sewing and crafting.
Most will fondly remember Sharon for her beautiful smile, laugh and her warm, kind and generous heart.
Sharon is survived by her two sons, two grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by all.
A celebration of life will be held at the First Christian Church of Perry on Aug. 18 at 10 a.m., followed by the interment of Larry and Sharon at Violet Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been set up in her name at Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance.
