Evelyn PARKS

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PARKS: Our mother, Evelyn Mae Parks passed away peacefully on Friday, August 24, with all of us at her side. Mom was born, August 30, 1916, at her home farm in Alexander, MB to Albert and Ursula (McKay) Rabe along with her siblings, Don, Reta, Bill and June. Mom attended Dalton School and then Alexander School. She married Dad, Frederick Coleman Parks, on September 30, 1939 where they mixed farmed and raised us 4 girls, Maxine, Donna, Sharon and Bonnie. Being a farming wife kept Mom pretty busy. Even though Dad was the “farmer”, Mom was always out there either driving a combine or truck. She always had time for sewing our clothes or Halloween costumes, and braiding our hair. If her days were not full enough, you would find Mom in the evenings knitting us beautiful sweaters. Laundry days, bread baking days made the house smelled wonderful. Hot harvest meals were always taken to Dad in the field: corn on the cob, garden potatoes, roast beef and pie with ice cream. Family traditions were important to Mom; trifle recipe is still a must on every Christmas table. Mom’s community activities included the United Church, WI and the Order of Eastern Star. At the age of 100, she was awarded her 70 year Certificate. Mom bowled and did a little curling. As soon as all us girls had left home, Mom and Dad headed down to Arizona for the winters where they made many great friends. Mom pursued her love of crafts and became an accomplished painter. Mom taught us that “a job worth doing was worth doing well!” Pride in our work was passed on to us girls, the grandchildren and great grandchildren. Mom is survived by her sister, June Tivy, us 4 girls, 11 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandson (and 1 more in the works). Mom will be laid to rest beside Dad at the Alexander Cemetery followed by a tea at the Masonic Temple, 302-8th Street, Brandon, MB on September 30th from 2-4. In her later years, Mom’s macular degeneration caused her to lose most of her sight. She wished so many times that she could see the little faces of her growing family so we ask that in lieu of flowers, please direct your donations to the CNIB, 1070 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, cnibdonorportal.ca. “So go in Peace, You’ve earned your Sleep, Your love is in our Hearts, We’ll forever Keep”

As published in Brandon Sun on Sep 09, 2017