Donald "Don" Purdie

Don Purdie, 86, of Glenville, MN, passed away on Friday, July 2, 2021 at St. Louis Park Estates in St. Louis Park, MN. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, July, 17, 2021 at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home with Rev. Don Malinsky presiding. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. (Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com). Internment will be at Bass Lake Cemetery, Delevan, MN at a later date.

Don was born September 3, 1934, the son of Kenneth and Melva (Sharp) Purdie near Winnebago, MN. He graduated from Winnebago High School in 1953 and joined the Army. Don returned to Winnebago and on June 8, 1957, married Gloria Abbas at the Delavan Methodist Church in Delavan MN. During their marriage they lived in several towns in MN and settled in Glenville in 1971.

Don was an extremely hard worker and was always very dedicated to his employers including digging wells, a milkman delivering for Land O’Lakes, Polly Meadows, and was owner operator of his own truck. When they moved to Glenville, he worked at the Albert Lea Standard Truck Stop, Thermo King of Albert Lea and eventually retired from Crossroads Trailer. Don was also involved in the community serving with the Glenville Volunteer Fire Department from 1974-1994, he helped with the development of the Glenville City Beach and the Softball field, was a member of the ELKS Lodge, The Glenville Snowmobile
Club and always enjoyed going to the Stables Supper Club.

Don enjoyed and was an avid gardener all of his life, and retirement afforded him the opportunity to expand on that, he was always looking for new and interesting varieties to try beside all of the staple items. Don and Gloria enjoyed traveling and sightseeing any time they could, enjoying their timeshares, and taking family trips when they could. The family gatherings were marked by the annual easter egg hunt and dirty bingo at Christmas, always including a great home cooked meal.

Don is survived by his wife, Gloria, of 64 years; sons: LaDean (Kim) Purdie of WI, Glendon Purdie of MN and Bryan (Cathy) Purdie of MN; Grandchildren: Brady Purdie, Amanda Purdie (Hiruy Habtemariam), Devon Purdie, Alexandre’ (Samantha) Purdie, Corde’ Purdie and Bre’Lahna Purdie; Great Grandchildren: Gianna Purdie, Owen Purdie, Logan Purdie Anna-Leigh Purdie and Ascella Purdie. Brothers, Chuck Purdie (Debby Cossairt) of MN and John (Lita) Purdie of the Philippines Islands; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Don was preceded in death by his son LonDell Purdie in 1985, and grandson Trevor Purdie in 1989; his parents; father and mother-in-law: Hillard and Freeda Abbas; Brother Eldon Purdie, and sisters, Lucille Purdie and Leila Berger; and numerous brother and sister-in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and
cousins.