Thelene A. Purvis

1943 - 2025

Thelene A. Purvis

February 26, 1943 - November 3, 2025

Thelene A. Purvis, age 82, of Grand Island, went to her eternal home on Monday, November 3, 2025.

Service and celebration of Thelene's life will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, November 14th, at Trinity United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Grand Island City Cemetery.

There will be a visitation from 5 to 7 p.m., at All Faiths Funeral Home on Thursday, November 13th.

Thelene was born on February 26, 1943, in Kimball, NE, to Theodore and Elaine (Wiese) Martens. During her early years, the family lived in Pine Bluffs, WY, before moving to Grand Island, when Thelene was four years old. She spent her childhood in the family home on North Ruby Street and attended Jefferson Elementary, Walnut Junior High, and graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 1961.

Thelene continued her education at Kearney State College for two years. While visiting her father at Myer's Farm Equipment, she met Duane Reichert, who would later become her husband. Together they adopted two children, Randall and Jolene.

A dedicated and hardworking woman, Thelene built a remarkable 40-year career with the Federal Bureau of Reclamation. She briefly paused her career to focus on raising her children before returning to work full-time. After Duane's serious motorcycle accident in 1970, Thelene's strength and determination shone as she continued to provide for her family with the support of friends and loved ones. Duane passed away in 2002.

In 2006, Thelene reconnected with a Grand Island Senior High classmate, Gary Purvis, at a class reunion. The two shared a love for dancing and traveling, and after five wonderful years together, they married in 2011. Thelene and Gary enjoyed remodeling homes for rental properties, traveling across the country, and spending time with their mothers, including memorable trips in their motorhome to Yellowstone National Park, Mount Rushmore, and Thermopolis, WY.

Thelene was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She loved her family deeply, especially her grandchildren, and found joy in travel, sewing, and caring for others. She was known as a devoted caretaker, both in her family and community.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Gary Purvis; son, Randall Reichert of Sterling, VA; daughter, Jolene Bockmann and her husband Steve Bockmann of Grand Island; stepchildren, Anthony "Andy" Purvis of Grand Island and Amy Purvis of San Jose, CA; and grandchildren, Emma and Easton Bockmann of Grand Island. She is also survived by cousins Howard and Glenn Shuman, along with many members of the Cooney family of Pine Bluffs.

Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society Research Foundation.