Obituary

Alice Elner Pursley, 78

Alice Elner Pursley, the youngest of twelve children, was born to James Joseph and Sarah Elizabeth (Hoffman) Cullen March 15, 1921, in Boyero. She departed this life March 18, 1999, at Keefe Memorial Hospital in Cheyenne Wells at the age of 78 years.

Alice attended catholic grade school in Kinsley, Kansas, and high school in Kit Carson. She graduated from high school in 1939.

Alice married her high school sweetheart, Harry Pursley, February 21, 1941, and they spent 56 happy years together. Two children were born to this union, Catheryn Jane ACathy@ March 24, 1942, and Robert Lee ABob@ June 30, 1945. Their married years were spent on the farm and ranch north of Kit Carson. In 1979, they moved into Kit Carson while continuing to maintain the farm and ranch. After the children left home, Alice cooked at the school cafeteria for 18 years.

Alice was a devoted wife and mother. She spent many years helping her children with 4-H projects and loved seeing her great grandchildren show their 4-H livestock. She enjoyed having company and you could always look forward to a delicious baked goodie whenever you visited the Pursley household. She spent many years working with her beautiful garden, always supplying flowers to the church when they were in season.

Alice has been a very devoted member of the St. Augustine Catholic Church for many years. She has been active with the senior citizens, enjoying the outings and quilting. As a member of the Alter Society, she served in the capacity as an officer from time to time. She liked greeting the visitors at the Kit Carson Museum as well.

Preceding Alice in death was her husband, Harry Pursley; son, Bob Pursley; parents, James Joseph and Sara Elizabeth Cullen; two brothers, John and Leon Cullen; and four sisters, Catheryn Loss, Margaret Scott, Emily Weber and Nellie Moran.

She is survived and will be dearly missed by her daughter, Cathy Carrigan of Northglenn, ; grandsons and their families, Mark and Sherrie Carrigan of Lamar, and Doug and Cathy Carrigan of Thornton; granddaughters and their families, Rala and Jeff Moore of Pritchett; and Bobbie Lee and J. J. Quick of Pueblo; great grandchildren Robin, Brittany, Matthew and Sean Carrigan, Lauren Guy, Merenda Moore and Robert Lee Quick; daughter-in-law Patsy Howard of Springfield; sisters, Rosanna Tarman and Agnes Foley of Lamar; Angie Hirsh of Pratt, Kansas, and Eva Strawn of Hutchison, Kansas; brother Jimmie and his wife Frances Cullen of Pueblo; sisters-in-law Sarah Cullen and Peggy Pursley of Kit Carson and numerous very dear nieces and nephews as well as a host of friends.

Services were held at St. Augustine Catholic Church with Father Thomas J. Kloppenborg officiating. Visitation at the church was held before the evening vigil service and recitation of the rosary, which began at 7:00 p.m., Monday, March 22, 1999. Family members, Tara Weber and Amy Collins and Alice=s great granddaughter Brittany Carrigan, placed the pall and crucifix on the casket at the back of the church at which time Alice was received into the church with the family following the casket as it was taken to the front to begin the evening services. Providing prelude and postlude music was Marilyn Ward and Tim Hogan.

The following morning a Funeral Mass was said at 10:00 a.m.., again with Father Kloppenborg officiating. Before the mass Alice=s great grandchildren stepped forward to place cards they had prepared in the casket while Jana Harms sang AImmaculate Mary@. Other musical selections, AThe Strife is O=er@, AAmazing Grace@ and AWhat Wondrous Love Is This@ were played throughout the mass and provided by Mrs. Harms, Tim Hogan and Marilyn Ward. The gifts to the altar were brought forward by two of Alice=s nieces, Theresa Harms and Liz Mattics. Serving as Eucharistic Ministers were Jan Hogan, Mary Louise Dechant and Eleanor Dechant and Norma Jean Polley provided the readings for the mass. Following the mass Alice=s grandson, Doug Carrigan read the eulogy and her granddaughter; Sherrie Carrigan, read a poem to the large gathering of family and friends.

Casket bearers were Tony Weber, Carl Randel, Tony Paintin, Ricky Geckler, Geofferey Wolff, and Paul Dechant.

Grave side services and the Rite of Committal were held at the Kit Carson Cemetery. At the conclusion, the family returned to the community building in Kit Carson to share in the family dinner prepared and served by Alice=s friends and neighbors of Kit Carson.

Funeral services were under the direction of Peacock Funeral Home.