Charlene Ann Pursley

July 18, 1931 - September 6, 2016

Charlene Ann Pursley Charlene Ann Pursley was born on July 18th, 1931 to Chris & Hilda Nordhausen in rural Dundy County NE. Charlene was a lifelong member of St Paul’s Lutheran Church, rural Wauneta. She was baptized, attended parochial school, and was confirmed at St Paul’s where she worshiped her entire life. She graduated from Wauneta High School, and from St John’s Lutheran College at Winfield, KS. Charlene was married to Dean Pursley on May 24th, 1953 and made their home on the south divide north of Benkelman, where she was born and raised. They were blessed with 4 children, 2 daughters and 2 sons. They were married 63 years. She was a member of Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, St Paul’s choir, Lutheran Layman’s League and Married Couples Club. She was a Sunday School Teacher for many years. In the community she was an active 4-H leader. Charlene enjoyed reading, baking bread, canning produce, flower gardening, quilting and sewing. Her life as a farm wife kept her busy. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family, her children, 11 grandchildren & 8 great grandchildren. She went to her heavenly home on Sept 6th, 2016 at Sunrise Heights in Wauneta, NE at the age of 85 years. Charlene was proceeded in death by her parents, her sister and brother in-law, Elvera and Jim Mullanix, brothers in-law, James Pursley, Jack Horton, Bill Horton and wife Helen, sister in-law Jean and husband Roy Nippert, brothers in-law Eugene Mundt and Robert Higgins, infant son, and infant great granddaughter Anika Upton. Rejoicing in her salvation is her husband, Dean Pursley, Wauneta, NE, children Rebecca and Steven Erickson of Omaha, NE, Chris and Annie Pursley of Enders, NE, Michael Pursley of Thornton, CO and Teresa and Stephen Swoopes of Omaha, NE. Grandchildren Ruthanne Erickson, Estes, CO, Carl Erickson, Omaha, NE, Caleb and Michelle Pursley, Benkelman, NE, Andrew and Meghann Pursley, Wauneta, NE, Adrianne Pursley, Omaha, NE, Zachariah Pursley and wife, Boston, MA, Alexandra and Ambrosia Pursley, Loveland, CO, Abbie and Ronald Siemers, Palmer, NE, Eleanor and Levi Upton, Omaha, NE. Great grandchildren Adelaide and Sage Erickson, Dietrich and Austin Pursley, Ashlynn and Isaiah Pursley, Jocelyn and Rhett Siemers. Sister Donna and Dennis Gockley, Wauneta, NE, sisters in-law Patricia Higgins and Anita Mundt, Las Angeles area, Faye Horton, Golden, CO and many much loved nieces and nephews. Services were held Monday, Sept 12th, 2016 at St Paul’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Keith Wellman officiating. Burial was in St Paul’s cemetery with arrangements by Liewer Funeral Home. Memorials have been established to KNGN Lutheran Radio, Orphan Grain Train, and Mercy Meals of Southwest NE. Charlene placed full confidence and trust in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who suffered, died and rose from the dead for the forgiveness of all our sins, which we neither deserve nor merit, but receive as a free gift of God, who is rich in Grace and Mercy. She encouraged her children not to set their hopes on uncertain riches but to keep their faith in Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life.