Samuel J. Parkin (1956-2020)

PARKIN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/11/2020 at 07:39:28

Samuel J. “Sam” Parkin, age 64 of Peosta, Iowa, completed his earthly journey on May 1, 2020 at UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital in Dubuque, Iowa. To honor Sam’s life, a private family service is being held, but a larger celebration of his life will be planned when it is safe to do so allowing friends and family to remember him together. The Tri-State Cremation Center is humbly serving Sam’s family.

Sam was born on March 7, 1956 in Dubuque, Iowa, the oldest of 10 children to John and Mary (Fink) Parkin. Sam was a determined young man who carried great pride in being an Eagle Scout by the time he graduated from high school. He took those skills and lifelong lessons for success he had learned in his earlier training to help him obtain a position as an operating engineer for the City of Dubuque’s wastewater management department. Sam devoted over 30 years there before eventually moving into retirement.

Sam was united in marriage to his beautiful bride, Annice Jaeger, on April 27, 2007 after they decided to head down to St. Louis to elope. They have been blessed to have known one another for 19 years altogether and have created countless memories to treasure along the way. Sam was a laid back and care-free dude who enjoyed his family and friends, along with a little Lynyrd Skynyrd playing in the background. He had plenty of hobbies in his spare time, but visiting with his loved ones was always a top priority.

Sam was quite active in his leisure time. An afternoon working on his handicap at the golf course with his father and brothers was considered time well spent, but a brisk morning in the timber waiting for the perfect shot on a big buck could also bring a smile to his face. And if the outdoors simply couldn’t be achieved that day, watching NASCAR, or his Bears and Cardinals play would also suffice to pass the time. During any sports season, he especially enjoyed razzing his rival fans, most notably Vikings and Cubs fans. In fact, the family chuckles that Sam simply couldn’t handle an April with zero wins for the Cardinals and decided now was as good a time as any to leave us. Sam was a good and decent man who did his best to take all of the moments in his life in stride. His sudden passing has left many broken hearts behind wondering how to face another day without Sam, but we do trust that the Lord has him safe in His arms now and will provide peace for both Sam and us until we meet again. Thank you, Sam, for always giving your best in this life and for teaching us to value what’s truly important in this world…those we love.

Those left behind to cherish Sam’s memory include,

his loving wife of 13 years,
Annice Parkin, Peosta, Iowa;

his 2 children,
Jamie (Ryan) Mahlberg, Rochester, Minnesota,

Pops, I knew I could always count on you to pick up the phone with a “Hey Toots!” any time of day…any day of the week. Making you proud was one of the joys of my life and I’m devastated to have lost my #1 cheerleader much earlier than I had hoped. Cardinals games won’t be the same without you, but we’ll continue to have a Bud at the ballpark in your honor whenever we make it to a game. Love you. ~Toots.
and Brody Parkin, Dubuque, Iowa;

To Pappy, I am more appreciative for the life I have. Through your guiding light through the dark of life, your strength and wisdom will be missed and remembered. Love, Brody

their mother,
Rita Parkin, Dubuque, Iowa;

his parents,
John and Mary Parkin, Dubuque, Iowa;

his 2 step-children and grandchildren,
James (Erica) and Aubrey Kirkpatrick, Dubuque, Iowa,
Timothy and Felicity Kirkpatrick, Dubuque, Iowa;

Dear Dad,
Words cannot express the pain of losing you or how much you have impacted our lives. You have taught us so much about life and helped mold us into the men we are today. We will miss all of our talks and listening to your stories, even the ones you’ve told us a dozen times, you always made it feel like we were right there watching it unfold. We will cherish the memories we made watching the Cardinals play, the games and concerts we went to, and the time we spent together. We are eternally grateful to have been blessed with having you in our lives and our daughter’s lives. Aubrey and Felicity always loved visiting their Poppa Sam. We just hope we can continue to make you proud and be half the Dad you didn’t have to be. Love your sons, James & Tim.

his siblings,
Lucy (Steven) Nailor, Arroyo Grande, California,
Jenny Parkin, Dubuque, Iowa,
Polly (Dan) Fleming, Dubuque, Iowa,
Penny (Dan) Sacco, Dubuque, Iowa,
Jess (Sholanda) Parkin, West Hartford, Connecticut,
Ben (Cheryl) Parkin, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota,
Guy (Beth) Parkin, Dubuque, Iowa,
Ned Parkin, Dubuque, Iowa,
and Chad (Heather) Parkin, Dubuque, Iowa;

along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, friends, and neighbors.

Sam’s family would like to thank Madison Ploessl, and her sister, Bailey, for their immediate attention to Sam after the accident. Along with the doctors, nurses, and staff at Finley Hospital for all of their professional and compassionate care of Sam, and his family.

Online condolences may be shared with Sam’s family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com