James "Buz" Purdy

James “Buz” Purdy, age 92, of Le Sueur passed away on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at Oak Terrace Assisted Living in Le Sueur. Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at the United Methodist Church in Le Sueur. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 28, 2024  from 4-7 P.M. at Kolden Funeral Home in Le Sueur. Visitation will continue one hour before the service at church. Interment will be in Mound Cemetery, Le Sueur with Military Honors immediately following the service.

Buz was born on September 27, 1931 in Lubbock, Texas to Albert and Narnie (Coleman) Purdy. He grew up in Lubbock until he was 14 and moved to Greeley, CO. He graduated in Greeley in 1949. Following graduation, he attended one year of college before he entered the United States Air Force. He became an Air Policeman in 1950 for 4 years. He married Betty Bowen on October 11, 1953 in Kirksville, Missouri. He lived in Ft. Collins, CO where he received his Bachelor’s Degree, he then received his Master’s Degree/PhD from Purdue University.

In 1965, Buz’s job at Holly Sugar brought him and his family to Tracy, California for 4 years. On June 1, 1970 the family came to Le Sueur, Minnesota where he would work many years for Green Giant/Pillsbury until his retirement in 2000.

Buz was a life-long member of the United Methodist Church, a member of the Le Sueur County Golf Club, and took great pride in his lawn. He and Betty celebrated 70 years of marriage this last October.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, children, Cindy (Stan) Haedt of Lindstrom, MN, Tammy (Tom) Svihel of Le Sueur, MN, Michael “Buzz” Purdy of St. James, MN and Linda (Randy) Harguth of Blaine, MN, grandchildren, Angela, Kim (Jason), Tommy (Liza), Michelle (Scott), Ryan, Jeff (Sarah), Justin (Kristen), Dan and Jon, and great-Grandchildren, Zach, Taylor, Morgan, Brynn, Kate, Madison, Kendra, MaKenzie, Lyla, Aria and James.

Buz is preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Herbert and Wilbur..