ALGONA — Doris Jean Purcell, 91, of Algona, Iowa, passed away on October 12, 2026, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of love, laughter and family. Born deaf, Doris found countless ways to brighten the lives of those around her, whether through her playful sense of humor, her devotion to her family or her unforgettable appearances dressed as a colorful clown.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Grace Church in Algona. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. and continue until the service. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Algona. Lentz Funeral Home of Algona is assisting the family with arrangements.
Born October 3, 1935, in Humboldt, South Dakota, Doris was the daughter of Albert and Janette Rehfeldt. The oldest of four children, she grew up on the family farm alongside her brothers, Harvey and Howard, and sister, Donna.
Farm life brought Doris some of her earliest and happiest memories. She enjoyed helping with chores, spending time outdoors and riding horses, developing an appreciation for the simple pleasures of rural life.
Doris attended the South Dakota School for the Deaf, graduating in the spring of 1954.
A chance encounter during the summer of 1955 would change her life forever.
While attending a Midwest softball tournament in Fort Dodge, Iowa, Doris met a young man named Jack Purcell. What began as an unexpected meeting grew into a romance that would shape the next several decades of their lives.
The couple married September 1, 1956, and settled in Algona, where they raised five children: Danny, Debbie, Tommy, Susan and Jimmy.
Their home became the center of a growing family and countless memories. In fact, Doris and Jack remained in the same Algona house for an extraordinary 65 years.
Their family eventually grew to include 22 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
In 1975, Doris began working in the meat department at Hy-Vee, where she became a dependable and hardworking employee. She continued working until retiring at age 60.
Doris and Jack were also deeply involved in the regional deaf community, regularly attending gatherings in Mason City and Fort Dodge. Both held leadership roles and valued the friendships, fellowship and shared experiences those gatherings provided.
Their involvement helped strengthen connections among deaf residents and families throughout Northern Iowa.
Faith remained another important part of Doris’s life. She and Jack belonged to First Baptist Church in Algona, and Doris found comfort and inspiration in reading her Bible.
Away from work and community activities, Doris enjoyed collecting cookbooks, exploring recipes and adding to an impressive collection of marbles.
But perhaps her most memorable talent was her remarkable ability to make people smile.
Doris loved humor and never hesitated to be the center of a good laugh. On occasion, she transformed herself into a clown, complete with colorful clothing, a painted face, a hat and enormous 18-inch tennis shoes.
She didn’t settle for a simple costume. Doris embraced the entire performance, dressing from head to toe with one goal in mind: bringing joy to everyone around her.
Although she could not hear the laughter, the smiles on people’s faces told her everything she needed to know.
Her playful nature became one of the qualities family members and friends cherished most.
Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Purcell; daughter, Susan; grandsons, Zach Purcell and Jack Matthew Purcell; great-grandson, Xander Brody; brother, Harvey Rehfeldt; and parents, Albert and Janette Rehfeldt.
She is survived by her children, Dan and Shawn Purcell of Waukee, Iowa; Deb Brody of Wichita, Kansas; Tom and Joni Purcell of West Des Moines, Iowa; and Jim and Kerstin Purcell of Germany.
She is also survived by her brother, Howard Rehfeldt; sister, Donna Bowden; 22 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends.
Friends and loved ones may share condolences and memories through Lentz Funeral Home.
For 91 years, Doris Purcell demonstrated that laughter does not have to be heard to be shared. From a chance meeting at a Fort Dodge softball tournament to 65 years in the same Algona home, she built a life rich in family, faith and friendships.
And for those fortunate enough to have known her, the image of Doris in her oversized clown shoes, determined to make someone smile, will remain an especially treasured memory.
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