Pauline Opal (Walker) Pursell, the daughter of James N. and Helen (Kirkendoll) Walker, was born June 26, 1915 in Tarkio, Missouri. She attended Wade country school and Tarkio High School.

On December 18, 1930, Pauline was united in marriage to Elwyn Lee Pursell and the couple lived and farmed in the Tarkio and Westboro, Missouri communities.

In 1953, Pauline and Elwyn moved into Tarkio.

Pauline was employed at the Tarkio library, a position she held for over 30 years. She and Elwyn enjoyed traveling, especially to Yellowstone National Park. This was a place they loved taking their grandchildren also. Pauline was a wonderful cook, enjoyed reading, taught Sunday School and was a 4-H sewing teacher. She stressed the importance of education for her family and was a faithful member of the Baptist Church of Tarkio. Pauline passed away Monday, December 7, 2009 at the Tarkio Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, Tarkio, at the age of 94 years.

Besides her parents, Pauline is preceded in death by her husband, Elwyn (Shorty) Pursell and son, Jesse Lee Pursell.

She is survived by two daughters, Mary Lou Dukes and her husband, Cleo, Tarkio and Nancy Ryan, Moses Lake, Washington; daughter-in-law, Martha Pursell, Omaha, Nebraska; seven grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren and numerous great-great grandchildren.

Services: 11:30 am, Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at Baptist Church, Tarkio.
Interment: Home Cemetery, Tarkio.
The family will receive friends from 10:30 am to 11:20 am, Wednesday, at the church.
Memorials: Baptist Church, Tarkio.
Services: Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.