Kenneth Earl Parker, 89, of Woonsocket, passed away Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, at Prairie View Healthcare Community in Woonsocket.
Funeral services were Monday, Nov. 28, at 11 a.m., at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Woonsocket. Visitation was Sunday, Nov. 27, with family members present from 5–7 p.m. at the Basham Funeral Home in Woonsocket. Inurnment was at Eventide Cemetery.
Kenny was born April 7, 1927, to Walt and Carrie (Schlomer) Parker. He graduated as salutatorian from Woonsocket High School in 1945. Kenny worked for Parson’s Produce prior to serving two years in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. After the service, Kenny worked for Wenton Siedschaw selling and transporting trailer houses.
Kenny married Lois Druse in October of 1955, and to this union two children were born, Jim and Polly Parker. Kenny worked as a mechanic for Elmer Steichen Chevrolet before driving semi for Van Dyke’s. He then went on to work in the sales department at Van Dyke’s (Capital Building Systems).
In 1970, Kenny was united in marriage to Leone Jenssen in Pipestone, Minn. Kenny and Leone ran the Dairy Queen located at the three-mile corner near Woonsocket from 1973-1977. Following that, they operated Jena’s Flower Shop in Huron. After Capital Building Systems closed, Kenny established Parker Brokerage, which he owned and operated until his retirement at the age of 85.
In 2004, Kenny married Ole Strand-McLearen at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Woonsocket.
He was involved in many community organizations including: American Legion, Woonsocket Fire Department, Pony Hills Country Club, and was a longtime member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church.
In January of 2016, Kenny entered Prairie View Healthcare Community, where he resided until his death.
Survivors include his son, Jim Parker of Kansas City, Kan.; his daughter, Polly Parker of Mitchell; step-sons, Jerry (Gloria) Jenssen of Woonsocket and Robert Jenssen of Sioux Falls; step-daughter-in-law, Shirley (Jim) Jenssen of Spearfish; sister, Deloris (George) Zilko of Carthage; sister-in-law, Ledoris (Bud) Parker of Sioux Falls; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; many step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren from the Jenssen family; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Kenny was preceded in death by his sisters and brother-in-laws, Margaret and Otto Gutzmer, Connie and Clint Haring, Genevieve and Chet Brown, Pat and Bill Baum and Ora and Merlyn Runestad; a brother, Charles (Bud) Parker; wives, Leone and Ole; stepsons, Jim and Tom Jenssen; and grandson, Dan Parker.
-
Weather
WoonsocketJanuary 31, 2023, 3:47 am-3°Freal feel: -11°Fhumidity: 74%wind speed: 7 mph SWwind gusts: 13 mphUpcoming Events
January 2023 SSunday MMonday TTuesday WWednesday TThursday FFriday SSaturday 1January 1, 2023 2January 2, 2023 3January 3, 2023 4January 4, 2023 5January 5, 2023 6January 6, 2023 7January 7, 2023 8January 8, 2023 9January 9, 2023 10January 10, 2023 11January 11, 2023 12January 12, 2023 13January 13, 2023 14January 14, 2023 15January 15, 2023 16January 16, 2023 17January 17, 2023 18January 18, 2023 19January 19, 2023 20January 20, 2023 21January 21, 2023 22January 22, 2023 23January 23, 2023 24January 24, 2023 25January 25, 2023 26January 26, 2023 27January 27, 2023 28January 28, 2023 29January 29, 2023 30January 30, 2023 31January 31, 2023 1February 1, 2023 2February 2, 2023 3February 3, 2023 4February 4, 2023 -
Recent Posts
Contact Us
Archives
Tweet