Gary Lee Park 1944-1974

PARK, PRATHER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 8/30/2013 at 23:05:32

Man Drowns at Ingham Lake
Estherville – Gary Lee Park, 30, of rural Graettinger drowned in Ingham Lake late Sunday afternoon, according to the Emmet County Sheriff’s Department.

Authorities said Mr. Park was swimming off the south shore of Ingham Lake with three companions, when an innertube he was using slipped away from him.

The accident was reported at 4:45 p.m. and Mr. Park’s body was recovered at 5:45 p.m., following dragging operations by the Sheriff’s Department and Iowa State Conservation Commission officials.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in Bethel Lutheran Church, Graettinger. Visitation will be held at Fuhrman Funeral Home, Graettinger, after 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Mr. Park is survived by his wife, the former Carol Prather, and their two children; also his mother, Mrs. Margaret Park, Graettinger; two brothers, Jim and Bob Park, both of Graettinger. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, July 22, 1974)

Gary Lee Park’s Services Wednesday at Graettinger
Graettinger – Gary Lee Park, 30, died of drowning about 4:45 p.m. on July 21 in Ingham Lake, near the south shore.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday with the Rev. O.J. Reitz officiating. Burial will be made with military graveside rites in High Lake Cemetery. Friends may call at Fuhrman Funeral Home, Graettinger.

Mr. Park was born April 20, 1944 in Algona to Margaret Park and the late Don Park. He received his education in Graettinger Community Schools, Iowa Lakes Community College at Estherville and the University of South Dakota at Vermillion. He was married to Carol Prather in Graettinger on Aug. 14, 1966. He served in the armed forces from August 1968 to August 1970. He taught mathematics, chemistry and was track coach at Havelock for the past six years. In May of this year, he joined Paul Revere Insurance co. as a sales representative. He was also a member of Bethel Lutheran Church, Graettinger.

Survivors include his wife, Carol, and two sons, Jason, 3 ½, and Adam, 1; two brothers, James and Robert, both of Graettinger; his mother, Margaret Park, Graettinger; and grandmother, Herma Park of Batavia, Iowa. Preceding him in death were his father, both grandfathers and one grandmother. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, July 23, 1974)