Harold “Dean” Pursley

Harold Dean Pursley

Nov. 4, 1932 - Feb. 3, 2021

WAUNETA, Neb. — Harold Dean Pursley was born on Nov. 4, 1932, in Benkelman, Neb., to Vester and Marjorie Pursley, the fifth child of seven. Dean was a lifelong resident of Dundy County. He attended school in Benkelman and was an athlete in every sport offered, playing with his numerous Pursley cousins. He was baptized in 1950 in the Benkelman Presbyterian Church.

In the years following his 1950 high school graduation, he worked as a brick mason with Pursley relatives and built numerous brick structures in Benkelman. He married Charlene Ann Nordhausen on May 24, 1953, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in northern Dundy County and was later confirmed. He has been a member there for 67 years. Dean and Charlene made their home on the South Divide where they lived together until health issues caused him to move to Wauneta Care Therapy Center in 2016. They were blessed with four children: two daughters and two sons in their 63 years of marriage.

Dean’s marriage to Charlene began his lifelong career as a farmer/rancher in which he was later joined by sons and grandsons. He adapted well from growing up as a “town kid” to a “farm boy.” His addition to their operation was the introduction of purebred black Angus cattle. He was a progressive farmer and continued the many conservation practices started by his father-in-law, Chris Nordhausen.

He was a member of the Lutheran Laymen League and the voter assembly at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and held may offices. He served on the school board of Rural District 33 until consolidation closed its doors. He helped with his children’s 4-H activities and coached Little League Baseball. He loved baseball and played in an adult men’s league for many years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his boys and loved his hunting dogs. He was an enthusiastic supporter of all the activities his children and grandchildren were in. He followed Benkelman Tiger sports for years. Dean was a good card player and they belonged to a card club for many years.

Dean went to his heavenly home on Feb. 3, 2021, at the age of 88 years.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law; his wife, Charlene; brothers, James, Jack (Faye) Horton, and Bill (Helen) Horton; sisters, Anita (Eugene) Mundt and Jean (Roy) Nippert; brother-in-law, Robert Higgins; sister-in-law, Elvera (Jim) Mullanix; infant son; and infant great-granddaughter, Anika Upton.

Dean is survived by sister, Patricia Higgins, of Los Angeles, Calif.; brother and sister-in-law, Donna (Dennis) Gockley of Wauneta.

Rejoicing in his salvation are his children, Rebecca (Steven) Erickson, Omaha, Neb., Chris (Annie) Pursley, Enders, Neb., Michael Pursley, Thornton, Colo., and Teresa (Stephen) Swoopes, Omaha; grandchildren, Ruthanne Erickson, Thornton, Colo., Carl Erickson, Omaha, Caleb (Michelle) Pursley, Benkelman, Andrew (Meghann) Pursley, Wauneta, Adrianne (Ben) Lewandowski, Lincoln, Neb., Zachariah Pursley and wife, Boston, Mass., Alexandra and Ambrosia Pursley, Loveland, Colo., Abbie (Ron) Siemers, Benkelman, Eleanor Upton, Omaha, and Levi (Jessica) Upton, Omaha; step-granddaughters, Brittney Swoopes, Omaha and Kelsey Swoopes, Chicago, Ill.; great-grandchildren, Adelaide, Sage, and River Erickson, Dietrich and Austin Pursley, Ashlynn and Isaiah Pursley, Jocelyn and Rhett Siemers, Amelia and Madelyn Lewandowski; step-grandchildren, Jordyn, Jeriah and Andre; and many nieces and nephews.

Services were Monday, Feb. 8, 2021, at St. Paul’s Lutheran church, rural Wauneta, with Pastor Keith Wellman officiating. Burial was at St. Paul’s cemetery with arrangements by Liewer Funeral Home. Memorials have been established to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and Wauneta Care & Therapy Center.