1933 – 2025
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Mrs. Marie Purcell-Christensen (nee Jensen) at the age of 91 years. She passed away on January 16, 2025, at Sunset Manor, with her husband Hartvig Christensen and family by her side.
Marie was born in Innisfail on October 20, 1933. She and her twin sister, Helen, attended school in Innisfail. Marie married Earle Purcell on June 6, 1953, and moved to Earle’s family farm in Niobe. She worked hard helping Earle with the farm, raising five children, and also worked at Ingham’s Jewelry Store and the Auction Market on Wednesdays and some Saturdays. Marie was very involved in the Church of the Nazarene. She participated in many ladies’ groups in Innisfail, including TOPS, Red Hatters, and Fun and Fellowship. She was an accomplished seamstress and cook, she enjoyed crafts, cards and puzzles.
Marie adored her grandchildren and loved caring for them. They have many fond memories of spending time together at Grandma and Grandad’s house. Marie and Earle loved to dance, entertain friends, travel either by motorcycle, their fifth wheel or drive the countryside by car. Marie and Hartvig were both widowed in 2011 and were married November 30, 2013. They spent many days touring central Alberta, joining the coffee group at their condo, playing cards, and doing puzzles together. Hartvig was a very attentive and thoughtful husband, taking excellent care of Marie as her health declined.
She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Hartvig Christensen, and her five children, Rick (Eva), Gary ‘Spud’ (Wendy), Ken (Barb), Stan (Judy), Connie (Rick) DeZutter, as well as her nine grandchildren: Nick, Jason, Jordan, Megan, Daniel, Thomas, Steven, Erin, Kassidy and their spouses, six great grandchildren, all boys, with a baby girl due in May. When Spud told her the news, she smiled and said, “Finally, a girl”. She is also survived by two step-grandchildren, Neal and Kim Peers, seven step-grandsons, as well as Hartvig’s children, Wendy (Keiran), Lorne (Nadine) and his five grandchildren.
Marie was predeceased by: her twin sister, Helen (Kurt) Crossfield, on December 3, 2024; her parents, Ted and Gerda (nee Lundgren) Jensen; her brothers, Howard (Jean), Ernie (Vicki), and Norm (Marie); her husband, Earle Purcell; and sisters-in-law, Gerry (Lester) Wagers and Arlane (Gordon) Parsonage.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Sunset Manor for taking such great care of Marie over the past three years. She always felt cared for and deeply appreciated the amazing staff.
A Funeral Service will be at The Church of the Nazarene, Innisfail, Alberta on Friday, February 28, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. If you are unable to attend the service, it will be livestreamed. You may find it at Innisfail Church of the Nazarene Youtube. If desired, Memorial Donations may be made to Heart & Stroke Foundation 119 14 St NW, #100 Calgary, Alberta T2N 1Z6 or at www.heartandstroke.ca Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006
