Sixth Generation

32. Elmer Leo PURPUS was born on 19 August 1923 in Monroe County, WI.⁷ He died on 27 March 2016 at the age of 92 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁶

Obituary Notes: "Elmer L. Purpus, 92, of Tomah passed away Sunday, March 27, 2016, at his home. He was born Aug. 19, 1923, to Ralph and Emma (Steuck) Purpus.

On Nov. 22, 1947, Elmer was united in marriage to Verna I. Smith in Wilton. She preceded him in death on Jan. 25, 2010. Elmer, along with Verna, farmed until 1957, in the Wilton area. They then moved to Tomah, and farmed there until 1983. Elmer was a past member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wilton.

Along with farming, he drove truck for Meyers and worked for the Township of LaGrange, for several years. In his spare time, Elmer enjoyed watching westerns, fishing and reading tractor magazines.

He is survived by three sons, Donald (Kathy) and Dennis (Mary) both of Tomah, and Terry of Mauston; grandchildren, Heather Wiehert of Mauston, and Haley Purpus of Osseo, Scott (Jen) Purpus of Atlanta, Ga., Bradley (Stephanie) Purpus of Brookfield, Kristin Purpus of Topeka, Kan.; great-grandchildren, Sabrina Wiehert of Baraboo, Richard Wiehert of Mauston, and Lindon Purpus of Atlanta, Ga.; a sister, Edna Eckelberg of Tomah; nieces, nephew, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Verna; two brothers, Delbert and LaVerne; many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

A funeral service will be held at 12 noon Thursday, March 31, 2016, at Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau Street, Tomah. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery."

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Elmer Leo PURPUS and Verna Irene SMITH were married on 22 November 1947 in Wilton, Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁷ Verna Irene SMITH, daughter of Oliver SMITH and Valda GOODENOUGH, was born on 4 May 1929 in Black River Falls, Jackson County, WI.²⁷ She died on 25 January 2010 at the age of 80 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁷

Obituary Notes: "Verna Irene Purpus, 80, of Tomah, died Monday, Jan. 25, 2010, at the Tomah Health Care Center. She was born May 4, 1929, to Oliver and Valda (Goodenough) Smith in Black River Falls, WI. She was united in marriage to Elmer Purpus on Nov. 22, 1947, in Wilton. Elmer and Verna farmed in the Wilton area until 1957. They then moved to Tomah and farmed here until 1983. She was a hard working farmer’s wife, working beside Elmer for many years on the farms.

Verna worked for Tillman Produce in Wilton, for many years as a cook for the Interstate Restaurant and Mr. D’s restaurant in Tomah. She was a member of the Ladies Aid at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wilton and the Cherry Valley Homemakers. She enjoyed cooking for family and friends and was an avid reader. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend.

She survived by her husband of 62 years, Elmer; three sons, Donald and Dennis (Mary), both of Tomah, and Terry of Mauston; grandchildren Heather Wiehert and Haley Purpus of Mauston, Scott (Jen) Purpus of Elm Grove, Bradley Purpus of West Allis, Kristin Purpus of Mankato, MN; great-grandchildren Sabrina Wiehert of Mauston, Richard Wiehert of Mauston and Lindon Purpus of Elm Grove; a brother, Milo Smith of Janesville, and a sister, Phyllis Roach of Black River Falls; a brother-in-law, Ferris Tande of Black River Falls; a sister-in-law, Edna Eckelberg of Tomah; and an aunt, Neoma Goodenough of Warrens; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by five brothers, Lloyd, Oliver “Scotty”, Willard, Francis and Chester; three sisters, Valda Tande, Margaret Homme and Rose Dearwester, and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

A funeral service was held today (Thursday), Jan. 28, at 2:30 p.m. at the Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah. Pastor Franklin Ross officiated. Burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah. Relatives and friends called on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home and on Thursday from 1:30 p.m. until time of the service."

Elmer Leo PURPUS and Verna Irene SMITH had the following children: