Doris Merlene Nelson Purgason passed away peacefully on July 26, 2018. She was a devoted, loving mother and wife. She was a gentle soul and never judgmental. She had unconditional love for all she ever met.
She was born in Bristol, Illinois on January 2, 1923. She grew up on the Nelson Family farm in Bristol, Illinois. She attended and graduated from CopleySchool of Nursing in Aurora, Illinois with a R.N. degree. She married her husband of 65 years, John Robert Purgason, on September 18, 1943. She worked as an R.N. during WWII while John was deployed to England with the Army Air Corps. She moved to Texas with John after WWII. She worked as an R.N. In Bryan-College Station, John Sealy Hospital in Galveston.
Doris and John had 7 children between 1946 and 1958, She and John moved their family to Austin, Texas in 1963 and spent the rest of their life together in Austin.
The loves of her life were her children, grandchildren, great grand children, traveling and camping with husband John and spending time with all of her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband John Robert Purgason, M.D., her parents Mary and Theodore Nelson, her sisters Norma Arterburn and Aleida Riley, her youngest son David Nelson Purgason, her grandson Michael Gilles Purgason and her daughterin-law Donna Purgason.
She is survived by her children: son John R. Purgason, Jr. of Austin, Texas, son Raymon T. Purgason and his wife Adrienne Purgason of Austin, Texas, son Thomas J. Purgason, M.D. And his wife Michele Purgason of Arlington, Texas, daughter Judith A. Purgason, R.N. And her husband Gilbert Rodriguez of Austin, Texas, daughter Laura J. Purgason-Perez CMD and her husband Hermin Perez of Austin, son James G. Purgason M.D. and his wife Terri Casey M.D. of Bartonville, Texas, 17 grand children, and 20 great grand children.
Doris was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother and will be dearly missed.
The Purgason family would like to thank Austin Hospice for their professional and compasionate care for our mother and family. Special thanks to the nurses, Bree, Christa, Linda and Chaplain Peggy.
In lieu of flowers the family requests you make a donation in the name of Doris Purgason to:
Michael Gilles Purgason Foundation
2007 Misty Creek
Arlington, Texas 76017
or charity of your choice.
The visitation for family and friends will be: Friday, July 27, from 6 to 8 pm.
The service will be: Saturday, July 28, 10 am at Cook Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752.
Grave side service following at Austin Memorial Park Cemetary, 2800 Hancock Dr Austin, TX 78731. Reception after graveside service: Homewood Suites 10925 Stonelake Blvd, Austin, TX 78759.
