Ruby I. Purdy

Ruby Irene Purdy, lifelong resident of the Antigo area, died Wed., April 28, 2010 at Eastview Medical and Rehabilitation. She was 96 years old.She was born March 14, 1914 in Deerbrook, daughter of the late Norman and Ina May (Smith) Rice. She married Kennan Purdy Aug. 19, 1933, in Antigo. Mr. Purdy preceded her in death on Aug. 1, 1985.Mrs. Purdy was a homemaker. She also worked at Hunter's Grocery, Purdy's Grocery Store, and Antigo Canning Factory. She volunteered at the Community Association of Retirees for many years and was a member of the Silvertones Singing Group. She enjoyed fishing, gardening, family gatherings, playing cards and organizing card parties at the community center, and taking trips with the Department on Aging. A member of Faith United Church of Christ, Mrs. Purdy served on committees for funeral dinner, church bazaar, and brotherhood supper. She was also a former deaconess.Survivors include 3 daughters, Connie Fritsch of Antigo, Bona De (Richard) Fritsch of Antigo, and Nancy (Raymond) Lewis of Antigo; 2 sons, Kennan (Dora) Purdy of Gleason, and Gary Purdy of West Hollywood, CA; a daughter-in-law Fumie Purdy of Wausau, WI; 13 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law Esther (Burt) Rice of West Allis, WI.In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Leona Knutson and Marie Guenthner, and 4 brothers, Adrian, Burt, Carl, and Elsworth Rice.