Obituary - Ambrose P. Purkett

Ambrose P. Purkett, 84, passed away due to natural causes Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, at the Northern Montana Care Center.

A visitation will be held from 5 until 7 p.m. with a vigil service following at 7 p.m., all Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, at Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel. Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16, 2017, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church with Father Daniel Wathen officiating.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. Please visit Ambrose's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Ambrose was born May 5, 1933, in Glasgow to Paul and Catherine (Grabrelick) Purkett. He was raised in Glasgow, Havre and Williston, North Dakota, graduating from Williston High School in 1951.

In 1955, Ambrose married Sylvia Johnson in Havre, and the couple remained in Havre where they raised their three children. He worked for Knudson Conoco and Rathbone Vending for 10 years, before beginning work with the state of Montana in road maintenance. He worked for the state until his 1992 retirement. After his retirement, Ambrose and Sylvia spent their time attending sporting events and traveling, just enjoying one another's company.

Ambrose was an active man who enjoyed antique cars and shows, dancing, telling stories and shooting pool with his friends at the Senior Center. He liked watching sports, especially supporting the local Havre teams. He found joy in playing cribbage with his oldest son, marbles with his daughter, tinkering around the garage with his youngest son and spending time with his grandkids. Ambrose was a very social man with a generous heart and a contagious smile. Ambrose was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles for 50 years and a member of the Vets Club.

Ambrose was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Catherine Purkett; his five brothers, Paul, Robert, Jerome, Willard and James Purkett; and four sisters, Angeline, Veronica, Evelyn, and infant sister Mary.

He is survived by his wife, Sylvia Purkett of Havre; his children, Byron (Pam) Purkett of Boise, Idaho, Julie (Mitchell) Dimich of Billings and Neil (Laura) Purkett of Las Vegas, Nevada; his eight grandchildren; his two great-grandchildren; his two sisters Medrine Purkett and Patty Purkett, both of Havre; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.