Helen A. Purscell

Helen Almeda Purscell was born February 27, 1948 in Creston, Iowa.  Helen was the daughter of Oran H. and Esther B. (Butman) Hoyt.  Helen was educated in the Creston Public Schools and graduated from Creston High School with the Class of 1967. 

Following graduation, Helen later married William Neely and together the couple had 7 children, all boys: Kevin, Jeffrey, Rodney, Mark, John, Dennis and Chad.  William preceded her in death.  Most of her working years were spent as a homemaker, raising and caring for her family.  Helen later married Lorn Purscell and he also preceded her in death.  She worked for several years at the Afton Care Center in the laundry department. 

Helen was preceded in death by her two husbands; her 1^st born son, Kevin Neely; 4 brothers:  Glen, Donald, Robert and Ronald Hoyt; 2 sisters:  Sylvia Young and Betty Foster.

Helen is survived by 6 of her sons:  Jeffrey Neely of Tomah, WI; Rodney Neely of Bridgewater, IA; Mark Neely of Creston, IA; John Neely of Des Moines, IA; Dennis Neely of St. Joseph, MO and Chad Neely of Creston, IA; 9 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; a brother, Keith Hoyt and sister, Irene Small of Huxley, IA.

May God grant comfort and strength to those who mourn.  Helen will be missed by all who knew and loved her.