Dr. J.W. Purtzer, 99, of Greenfield

Celebration of Life Services: Will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2024, (his 100^th birthday) at 11:00 a.m. at the Greenfield United Methodist Church.  Burial will be in the Greenfield Cemetery with full military graveside rites by the Greenfield American Legion Head-Endres Post No. 265 & Post No. 5357. A luncheon will follow the burial at the church.   Pastor Melinda Stonebraker will officiate the service.   The Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield is in charge of the professional arrangements.  Online condolences may be left to the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com. 

Family Visitation: The family will greet friends on Friday, August 16, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Greenfield United Methodist Church. 

Memorials: To the Greenfield United Methodist Church or to the family to be established at a later date. 

Jean Walter Purtzer passed into eternal life on June 4th 2024, at the Greater Regional Hospital of Creston, following a brief illness.

Jean was born on August 17, 1924 in Madison, Nebraska. He was the middle son of Walter and Ruth Purtzer and grew up in Madison and Norfolk, Nebraska. All three brothers entered the medical field. Walt and Ruth were huge Nebraska Cornhusker fans and Jean followed suit – a lot of red was worn by this family! 

Jean attended college at Wayne State in Wayne, Nebraska. Like most men of Jean’s generation he entered the services. For Jean it was the Navy, where he was stationed in New York, New York. He met Betty Carson on a weekend trip to Washington, D.C. with his Naval buddies, and it was love at first sight! They were married on September 25, 1947 while Jean was attending the Chicago School of Optometry. Upon graduation, Jean and Betty went searching for a location to open his practice. The three requirements they had were: a small town, a golf course, and a swimming pool; Greenfield fit the bill! Jean opened his practice in 1949. He was the only Optometrist in Adair County for many years. He retired after 45 years at the age of 70. During his years of practice, he made many life-long friends, usually getting to know his patient’s parents and children. Everyone in town knew Doc Purtzer (and remember him pointing his index finger to the tip of his nose and saying, “Look right here”).

 Jean had a particular love for golf. He played 3-5 days a week, right up until he was 97. He got his 1st ever hole in one at age 91. He was a passionate sports fan- all the way from local high school teams to the Chicago Cubs. He watched anything and everything Nebraska. Sometimes he had his 3 TV’s all tuned to different games at the same time! Jean found it particularly stressful when Iowa played Nebraska!

After retirement, Jean and Betty were able to pursue their love of travel. Cruises and tours were taken to Alaska, Mexico, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, Austria, Germany and Switzerland. They met many wonderful friends with whom they stayed in contact for years. He loved to recall stories from their travels.

Jean and Betty were truly soulmates. They were married for 58 years. Their relationship was an inspiration for many. Jean continued to devote himself to Betty during her final two years at the Greenfield Manor. Betty passed away in 2006, and he would always proclaim how much he missed her. Jean went to each of his 5 granddaughter’s weddings and dearly loved his family as it continued to grow. He adored each new great grandchild and often said what a blessing it was that each was healthy. Grandpa Jean got down on the ground to play with their tiny fingers and toes!

Jean will forever be remembered for his friendliness, kindness, caring, sense of humor and most importantly his positive attitude. People especially remember the handwritten cards and letters that Jean took the time to send. On the last day of his life, he said “I have had such a wonderful life”.

Surviving Jean are his daughter, Ann Frost (Dan) Riverwoods, IL, daughter-in-law, Paula Purtzer, West Des Moines, 5 granddaughters Erica Martin (Sayer) West Des Moines, Jocelyn McGee (Christian) West Des Moines, Sarah Monahan (Kevin) Westfield, IN, Amy Bagdon (Craig) Arlington Heights, IL and Julie Bernsen (Weston) Denver, CO, 11 great grandchildren, and sister-in-law Dorian Purtzer. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty (2006) and son Bill (2021). Memorials may be directed to Greenfield United Methodist Church or the family, to be decided at a later date.