Rev. Dick Parker, 83

Rev. Dick Parker, 83, of Hampton, Iowa, passed away October 19, 2021, at MercyOne North Iowa Hospice in Mason City, Iowa. He was born December 11, 1937, in Veedum, Wisconsin, to Edgar Martin and Grace Mae (Hancock) Parker.

Dick (or if you were his Wife or Mother, you were allowed to call him Dickie) graduated from Pittsville High School in Pittsville, Wisconsin. Dick married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Donna Robinson, on August 10, 1957, in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. To this union, three daughters were born: Sandy, Patti, and Tami. Other than his Lord and Savior, there was nothing in this world that he loved more than "his 4 girls."

Dick enlisted in the Army National Guard Red Arrow Division at age 16 and served his country proudly for 21 years. He held various positions, including switchboard operator, retention NCO, and Chaplain Assistant. The Parker family owned and operated Parker Sphagnum Moss Company as well as Parker Pulpwood for many years. When Dick moved to Iowa, his love for sales surfaced, and he became the owner/operator of Parker Brush Sales. Dick worked most of his adult life in Ministry. Pastoring his own churches, overseeing and aiding other pastors, going on mission trips, and directing bible school and camps. In 2006, after a lifetime of Ministry, Dick proudly received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity. It was an honor well deserved. Dick was best known for the 42 years he spent behind the wheel of a school bus driving students and athletes to and from school and ball games. He was indeed in his happy place when he was driving "his kids." Dick was a member of the Church of the Living Word in Hampton and the Hampton Lions Club.

Dick is survived by his wife of 64 years, Donna Parker of Hampton, his daughters Sandy (Dale) Sisam of Chaska, Minnesota, Patti (Mark) Wynthein of Arlington, Tami (Lowell) Hochhalter of Missoula, Montana. Also by his brother, Fred Parker of Nekoosa, Wisconsin, and sister Gertrude Knuteson of Canton, Georgia. His spirit is carried by and lives on in his 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

When the Heavenly party for Dick kicked off on Tuesday morning, he was surely welcomed by loved ones who preceded him in death; his parents, Martin and Grace Parker; his siblings, Edgar Parker, Agnes Harshner, Arnold Parker, Alfred Parker, Harry Parker. We all sure wish we could have witnessed that reunion.

We were blessed to learn so many life lessons from him. Those of us who have taken those lessons to heart is wiser and better for it. Lessons like: it is possible to play basketball with your kids and grandkids and even win while wearing your favorite cowboy boots. You should never throw away your pantyhose because they work great for spit shining your boots (after you have played basketball in them). If you want to wake up your daughter, and she is more interested in sleeping, you should flip her bedroom light on and off while singing good morning, good morning, good morning it's time to rise and shine. If you want to spend quality time with your daughters, the best places to do that are camping, fishing, and on horseback. If you can drive a stick shift, you can drive anything. Ugga Mugga Mushka means "honey, I love you!" If you own a Vega, you should really put a Monte Carlo motor in it for your daughter before she heads to college, so she can drive super fast. And finally, if your cat is allergic to your kids....get rid of the kids.

Dad lived a life of kindness and tried to never say a mean word to or about anyone. He believed that "they are poor souls who need Jesus; we should share our last dollar with them instead." He always had a corny joke, a heart full of love, a smile on his face, and a laugh on his lips. If there is one thing that we can say with complete certainty - Dick Parker, our dad, our grandpa, our great papa, and Donna's "Boyfriend" lived well! We are proud to be your family. Enjoy Heaven. We will be there soon!

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, October 29, 2021, at the Sietsema Vogel Funeral Home in Hampton. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 30, 2021, at the Church of the Living Word in Hampton. Burial will take place in the Mound Cemetery in Pittsville, Wisconsin.