Shirley Kay Purser

Shirley Kay Keele Purser, 83 of Rigby, Idaho passed away Saturday, May 5, 2018 at EIRMC in Idaho Falls, ID of natural causes. Shirley was born on December 20, 1934 in Ririe, Idaho to Ellis John & Margret Earthel Keele.  Shirley attended school in Ririe.  She spent summers on the dry farm in Antelope and later on the farm west of Ririe. Shirley married LaVell Ray Purser for time and all of eternity on May 27, 1953 in the Idaho Falls Temple. They had three sons and one daughter.  They lived in Rigby, Idaho and welcomed the birth of their first child, Randy.  In 1955 they moved to the Kent, Washington and welcomed the birth of their second child, Steven.  In 1958 they moved to Plain City, Utah and welcomed the birth of Bart.  Additional moves included to Riverside just outside of Blackfoot, back to Rigby and then to Ammon which welcomed the birth of their fourth child, Pam.  The next move was back to Rigby in 1971 and farmed there until 1980, when they moved to Moore, Idaho.  They farmed there for 13 years and moved back to Rigby. Shirley worked for Martin Interiors in Idaho Falls, owned her own drapery company in Moore, Idaho and worked at JC Penney’s in the window coverings department for over 15 years. She served in various church positions over the years as ward Primary, Young Women and Relief Society President, Stake Relief Society President and served a Stake Mission. LaVell and Shirley served on the State Board for Idaho Farm Bureau.  Shirley also served as District Chairman and Vice Chairman for ten years for Idaho Farm Bureau.  Shirley and LaVell enjoyed camping, four wheeling, and traveling. Survivors include her husband LaVell of Rigby, Idaho; sons Randy (Michelle) Purser of Moore, Idaho; Steven (Dianna) Purser of Rigby, Idaho; Bart (Janet) Purser of Murray, Utah and daughter Pamela (Lynn) Powell of Idaho Falls, Idaho. Shirley has 18 grandchildren; 56 great grandchildren; and 1 great, great grandchild.  Shirley is proceeded in death by her parents, 3 brothers Cal, Jack and Cody Keele and sister Audrey Simon. A funeral service will be held Thursday, May 10th at 11:00 AM at the Rigby 3rd Ward (364 North 4100 East, Rigby, ID). The family will meet with friends on Wednesday, May 9th from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at Eckersell Memorial Chapel (101 West Main Street, Rigby, ID) and again on Thursday prior to services at the church from 9:30 to 10:45 AM. Interment will be in the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery.