Rita Rose (Ficek) Purcell, 87, of Round Rock, Texas passed away peacefully on October 15, 2024. Rita was born on April 11, 1937 to William “Bill” and Rose Ficek in Dickinson, North Dakota and raised on the family’s farm. She graduated from Dickinson High School (Dickinson, ND) and was active in the local 4-H club. Rita continued her education at the University of Kansas where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology in 1959. While attending college, she met James Terrence "Terry" Purcell in 1956 and married on November 27, 1958. Terry and Rita celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on Thanksgiving Day, 2008.

She was employed as a clinical laboratory technologist at hospitals in San Antonio, Texas, St. Joseph, Missouri and Midland, Texas before retiring in 1999.

Rita liked to experience nature, whether it be hiking and camping, viewing the yearly Texas wildflowers, or bird watching. Hummingbirds were her favorite. She loved gardening and brought joy to many with her desserts and Czech heritage bakery. She also enjoyed watching University of Kansas Jayhawks basketball and Kansas City Royals baseball games.

She had a lifelong dedication to service within her community. She received the Silver Beaver Award (St. Joseph, Missouri), recognizing her as a Scout leader who showed exceptional character and distinguished service. She was a member of her church choirs and bereavement teams at the St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in St. Joseph, Missouri, St. Ann's Catholic Church in Midland, Texas, and St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Round Rock, Texas. After moving to Round Rock, she was a member of Comfort Caps which provided local Austin-area cancer patients with hand-knitted blankets and caps.

She was preceded in death by her husband Terry, son James Timothy Purcell, parents, sister Judith Guyn, and daughter-in-law Jeannette (Michael) Purcell (2023). She is survived by three sons, Michael Patrick Purcell of Montgomery, Texas, William Francis Purcell of Hutto, Texas, and Brian Thomas Purcell and wife, Sharon of Tomball, Texas; and one daughter-in-law, Sherry (Tim) Purcell of Georgetown, Texas ; six grandchildren, Jason Purcell, Jeremy Purcell, Janine Purcell Hernandez, Colin Purcell, Patrick Purcell, and Anthony Purcell; three great grandchildren; two sisters, Joan (Richard) Baker of Kansas City, Missouri, Ruth Stepien of Olathe, Kansas, and one brother, Mark Ficek (Luisa) of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10am, Tuesday, October 22, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 3201 Sunrise Road, Round Rock, Texas, with Reverend Patrick Ebner, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park, 4616 N. Big Spring, Midland, Texas on Wednesday, October 23 at 1pm. Visitation is scheduled for Monday, October 21 from 6-8pm with a 7pm Rosary at Beck Funeral Home, 4765 Priem Ln, Pflugerville, TX.

Arrangements are under the direction of Beck Funeral Home of Pflugerville, Texas.

Memorable contributions may be made to St. John Vianney Catholic Church or a favorite charity.