Elizabeth Puryear, daughter of James and Nora (Riefkohl) Puryear, was born January 19, 1910, at Gries, Oklahoma.  When she was seven years old she moved with her parents to Arizona for one year prior to moving to a ranch north of Four Corners in Haakon County, South Dakota.

She grew up there and attneded Haakon County rural schools and St. Martin's Academy prior to graduating from Ft. Pierre High School.  She then attended Notre Dame Acadamey in Mitchell, South Dakota, where she received her teaching certificate.  She taught at Milton School in Stanley County.

Elizabeth was united in marriage to Edward Nemec on June 20, 1929, at Capa, South Dakota.  They farmed and ranched northeast of Midland, South Dakota, all their married life.

Elizabeth was a member of St. William's Catholic Church, the Church Altar Society, and the Victory Extension Socity.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Edward, of Midland; seven sons, Edward Jr. and Benjamin both of Holabird, South Dakota; Joseph of Des Moines, Iowa; Leo of Little Fork Minnesota; Anthony of Gillette, Wyoming; and Michael and Mark, both of Midland; ten daughters: Elizabeth VanderMay of Longvalley, South Dakota; Nora Wyman of Reno, Nevada; Sister Edna Nemec of Duluth, Minnesota; Frances Terkildsen of Kadoka, South Dakota; Wynn Bergeson of Ft. Pierre, South Dakota; Pauline Bruce of Hayes, South Dakota; Christine Ryan of Tolna, North Dakota; Audrey Jones of Midland, South Dakota; Bernadette Knox of Highmore, South Dakota; and Rita Foreng of McVille, North Dakota; 94 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; one sister, Winifred Parker of Pierre, South Dakota; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by one daughter in infancy; her parents; one brother, James Puryear; and two sisters, Maude and Mary Puryear.

Rosary Service
Wednesday, March 25, 1987
7:00 p.m.
St. William's Catholic Church
Midland, South Dakota

Mass of Christian Burial
Thursday, March 26, 1987
10:30 a.m.
St. William's Catholic Church
Midland, South Dakota

Celebrant
Father Rich Novotny

Music
Mathilda Dinsmore - Organist
Barbara Petoske - Pianist
Victor Nemec - Vocalist

Ushers
Richard Tolton - Thomas Nemec
Ernest Dean Nemec - Jerry J. Nemec

Pallbearers
All 94 of her Grandchildren

Interment
Midland Cemetery
Midland, South Dakota