Lillian "Lillie" Purcell

Lillian M. “Lillie” Purcell, 88, of Grand Forks, ND, went to be with Jesus Sunday, April 24, 2016, in the presence of her loving family at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND.  Lillian Mae Smestad, the daughter of Even and Katherine (Nelson) Smestad was born May 4, 1927 in Niagara, North Dakota.  Lillian grew up on a farm near Niagara, ND and attended school in Inkster, North Dakota graduating from Inkster High School. On October 11, 1953 she was united in marriage to James “Jim” Purcell at Elk Valley Lutheran Church, McCanna, North Dakota. They moved to Grand Forks in 1956 where they made their home. Lillian’s pride and joy was her family and being a nurturing mother, homemaker and wife. She always had a supply of her children’s and grandchildren’s favorite baked goods on hand and still cooked daily meals until the day she was no longer with us. She enjoyed canning, pickling, and making the world’s best homemade donuts. Many of Lillian’s family gatherings were spent in love and laughter, and always accompanied by hours of the card game “Whist” with her children and grandchildren. She loved spending time fishing at Twin Lakes near Mahnomen, Minnesota with numerous enjoyable memories and trips.  You could always find Lillie with a welcoming smile and a joyful whistle while cooking, doing housework and yard-work. Lillian was full of life and even made a 5-week trip to Florida in 2015. She also was a loyal Sioux Hockey fan attending the majority of games with her boys. Lillian is survived by her loving husband: James “Jim’’ Purcell - Grand Forks; Sons: Robin (Stacey), Purcell - Grand Forks, Brian (Tami) Purcell – Grand Forks, Grant (DeAnn) Purcell - Grand Forks, Pat (Kristi) Purcell – Grand Forks; Daughter: Rebecca (Wayne) Trosen - Bismark, ND; Grandchildren: Rylan Purcell, Jennifer Purcell, Ashton Purcell, Kristen (Michael) DiMaggio, Rhea Purcell, Logan Purcell, Jared (Candy) Purcell, Tavis Trosen,  Kyle (Tarah) Trosen, Tanner (Shanna) Trosen, Lucas Purcell, Jessica (Johnny) Ryan, Reagan Purcell and Porter Purcell: Nine Great Grandchildren: Giada, Jeter and Olivia DiMaggio; Meyer, Nora, Jimmy, Esther, Jack Trosen, and baby on the way to Jessica and Johnny Ryan. She was preceded in death by parents: Even and Katherine Smestad, brothers: Carl Smestad, Juel Smestad, and Elvin Smestad; and sisters: Kathleen Smestad and Helen Ghodes. Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 29, 2016 at United Lutheran Church, 324 Chestnut St., Grand Forks. Visitation will be at Amundson Funeral Home, 2975 42nd St., Grand Forks on Thursday, April 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Prayer Service followed by sharing of memories. Internment will be in Memorial Park North Cemetery, Grand Forks.