Emma (Mina) Purling-Burkett, 97, of Clay Center, Kansas passed away Wednesday, August 21, 2024 at the Liberty Place of Clay Center.
She was born Emma Wilhelmina Ingrum October 9, 1926, in Clay Center, Kansas, the daughter of Clyde and Anna Suden Ingrum.
Mina was a homemaker and devoted mother. For many years she worked as a nurse’s aide on the night shift at the Clay County Medical Center, taking care of patients and assisting medical staff. After retiring, she continued caregiving as a volunteer for Meadowlark Hospice. Mina sang with the Silvertones and was a volunteer at the Lighthouse, the Chamber of Commerce (Leisure Center), as well as local blood drives. She was a longtime member of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
Mina was proceeded in death by her parents; husbands Donald Purling (1999) and Claude Burkett (2003); brother Duane; two sisters, Dorene Lucero, Florene Broden; and daughter Dianne Adler.
Survivors include sister Karen Stevenson of Miltonvale; daughter Yvonne Matheny of Clay Center; son David Purling (Sonya) of Topeka; son Donald Purling (Rob) of New Orleans; son-in-law Dan Adler (Georgetown, TX); sister-in-law, Arlene Ingrum (Abilene, KS), Connie Purling (Colorado Springs, CO) and sister-in-law Tennie Ivy (Montgomery, TX). Other survivors include six grandchildren: Kari, Nathan, Cory, Pat, Natalie, and Jamie; fourteen great-grandchildren: Braelee and Ethan (Kari); Rhett, Rylie, and Reese (Nathan); Cayden, Lennan, Zach, and Emery (Cory); Cooper and John (Pat); Case and Avery (Natalie), Lucy and Frankie (Jamie); and three great-great-grandchildren. Numerous nephews and nieces.
The family would like to express our sincere appreciation to the staff of Liberty Place and Meadowlark Hospice for the wonderful care they provided.
Visitation will be from 9:30AM until service time on Monday, September 16, 2024 at the Clay Center Covenant Church.
A celebration of life will be held at 10:30AM on Monday, September 16, 2024 at the Clay Center Covenant Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Meadowlark Hospice and can be sent in care of the funeral home.
