Alice V. Purdy

Alice Viola Sechler Purdy, 96, Topeka, passed away on Tuesday October 1, 2024. 

Alice was born January 25, 1928 in Doniphan County, Kansas near Atchison. She graduated from Robinson High School in 1946. Alice married Merwyn Vernon Purdy on March 19, 1948 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, New Braunfels, Texas. Alice and Merwyn traveled and worked at various Air Force bases until her husband’s retirement in 1962. At that time Merwyn took a position with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and they made Topeka their home. Alice retired from the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center, Chief of Medical Staff Office in 1990. 

Alice was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, serving as local Chapter Regent and assisting the Voluntary Service at the VA Hospital for 21 years in Topeka. She was a past member of the AFSA, VFW, and American Legion Post 1 in Topeka. She was a long time member of First Lutheran Church of Topeka. Along with volunteering, she enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Austria, Branson, MO, Padre Island and Colorado. She was a talented artist and excelled in painting, wood carving and quilting. She won many awards for her art. 

Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Merwyn V. Purdy, her father, Hugh M. Sechler, her mother, Mary Viola Sechler, her sister, Mary Duerfeldt, brothers Perry and Donald, and nephew Glen Duerfeldt. She is survived by her two daughters, Dolores Purdy Corcoran of La Mesilla, New Mexico and Mary Purdy Gmuender (Josef) of Gardnerville, Nevada, along with 4 Grandchildren and 2 Great Grandchildren. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, October 5, 2024, at First Lutheran Church, 1234 Fairlawn Ave, Topeka, Kansas with visitation to begin an hour prior to service time. Graveside services will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery, 4700 SW 17th St, Topeka, KS 66604.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Lutheran Church, 1234 Fairlawn Ave, Topeka, KS. 

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