CLEO A. PURDY
He will be greatly missed by many.
He is survived by his loving wife Jan, his daughter Lisa Jo Wright of Gardnerville, Nevada, his granddaughter, Joey Wright and grandson, Jackson Wright. Also left to mourn Tim’s passing are his mother, Betty Schriner of Holdrege, and his two younger brothers, Terry McCracken of Fairmont, Nebraska, and Tracy (Kim) Haack of Whitten, South Dakota, as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and numerous other relatives. He was proceeded in death by his father and a daughter in 1991, Patricia Holty McCracken.
Memorial service will be Friday, May 3, 2024, at 11 AM at the Bertrand United Methodist Church in Bertrand, Nebraska with Pastor Sarah Herman, officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date. Garey Funeral Home of Arapahoe, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences and personal reflections may be left at gareyfuneralhome. com Cleo Annette Murdoch Henry Purdy Jan 30, 1938 – Mar 18, 2024 Mission Viejo, CA Cleo Purdy died peacefully after a courageous 9 year battle with cancer. She was raised on a farm between Oxford and Orleans Nebraska, and was the youngest child born to Charlie and Iva Murdoch.
Cleo graduated from Oxford High School with the class of 1955 and received her BA from Taylor University, Upland, IN in 1959. In 1980, she earned a M.Ed from Pep-perdine University. Her teaching career spanned 38 years, primarily kindergarten.
She married Keith Henry in 1961. The couple had two children. The family lived in several parts of the country, and finally settled in Mission Viejo, CA in 1972.
In 1989, Cleo married Irvine Austin “Ozzie” Purdy. They spent many happy years together, traveling, square dancing and entertaining. He passed away in 2014. After his passing, she enjoyed a long-term companionship with Michael Pomykata.
Cleo was devoted to her alma mater, her church, and her many friends and neighbors.
Cleo was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, Floyd Murdoch, Paul Murdoch, Dale Murdoch, sister Maxine Reed, sister-in-law, Marie Murdoch, and brotherin- law Doran Reed, and is survived by her children, 3 grandchildren, two sisters-inlaw, Ardyce Murdoch of Cheyenne, WY and Betty Murdoch of Holdrege, NE, many relatives, and friends.
A public celebration of her life will be held at Presbyterian Church of the Master in Mission Viejo, CA on Saturday, May 25, at 2 pm. Memorials may be made in her honor to the American Cancer Society.
Condolences may be sent to her daughter.
Colleen Henry, 2031 Via Mariposa E Unit D, Laguna Woods, CA 92637
