Deloris May Parks

    Deloris May Parks, age 75, a lifelong area resident of Park Rapids, Mn passed away peacefully on November 2, 2016 at the Cancer Treatment Center of America, in Zion Illinois.  She was born to George & Vera (Beck) Broten on November 21, 1940, premature at home and was placed on the oven door in a shoe box.  She survived and was baptized at what is now First English Lutheran Church of Dorset.  She grew into adolescence being confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Park Rapids.  She participated in Girls Club at school and graduated with the class of 1958.  Early employment for Dee included working at the family resort "Bass Harbor" on Eagle Lake and later her family’s chicken broiler farm, where they processed 200 plus chickens with just two adults and three adolescents.  While in high school she also worked at the family truck stop managed by her mother, a candy striper, a live in child care provider for a local family, and also provided childcare for her twin brothers.  After high school she took a trip to California with a fellow classmate, upon returning she began working for Ringer Munsingwear, assisting with sewing and made her own wedding dress.     She married Willard "Willy" Parks on September 5, 1959 at St. John's Lutheran Church.  This union was blessed with three daughters, Lezli, Krysti, and Mylloni.  She followed Willy to Fort Leonard Wood, MO.  She and Willy then ventured to the Twin Cities after Lezli was born, where Willy worked in masonry and Dee was a stay at home mom.  They returned to Park Rapids and she continued as a homemaker sewing clothes for her children, gardening, pickling and canning for her family.  She sold Studio Girl Cosmetics to earn income while the girls were young.  She later became a part of Willy's Beekeeping hobby and learned to use honey in her baking and cooking.  She was an amazing cook and was known for her wonderful baked bread.  Dee was an avid bowler, elected "Queen of the lanes", after bowling a 600 game.  She bowled both afternoon league and mixed doubles with Willy.  She played softball with the "Sasco Kids", playing long enough for all three daughters to join her.  She loved to dance and her family loved to watch her jitterbug with her brother Orn.  She was a crew chief of cabin cleaning at Sunset Lodge and also the Blue Heron Resort. She drove as a volunteer driver for Heartland Express and was a Licensed Foster Parent for 38 years, opening her home for close to 100 children.  She loved traveling with her family, leaving only six states unseen, and enjoyed camping trips to Canada.  She taught release time and vacation Bible school for many years at St. John's Lutheran and First English Lutheran.  She was a part of Lutheran Women's Missionary League, attending many conventions and rallies.  She also started a Christian Singles group most recently leading the Bible studies, with fun themes and activities.  Dee also had a hobby farm from the time the girls were young and had many egg customers.   Dee lived a full life and loved spending time with her family and will truly be missed by her three daughters and their families, including her foster daughter niece.      She will be lovingly remembered by three daughters: Lezli (Dan) Zimmerman, Mylloni(Bruce Weaver)Karas, both of Park Rapids, and Krysti (Bill) Atwater of Bemidji, and a foster daughter niece Joann (Keith) Myer, of Park Rapids;  Seven grandchildren: Ayrianne, Kandi, Richy, Amber, Wylli, Hailey, and Jaiden along with nine great grandchildren, two step grandchildren, and four step great grandchildren; brothers: Orn(Ardis)Brissett, Alfred (Patsy)Broten, and Martin (Judy)Broten; many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.      Preceding her in death are her parents and her siblings: LaVonne Rautio, Maynard Brissett, and Art Brissett.      Funeral services will be held at 2pm Saturday November 19,2016 at the First English Lutheran Church in Dorset, burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.  Visitation will be held 5-7pm Friday November 18,2016 at Jones Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and one hour prior to the start of the service at the church. To leave online condolences or to view the video tribute please visit www.jonespearson.com