Parkinson, Ruth 1914-2013

PARKINSON, AUSTIN, WEDD

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 11/12/2013 at 19:38:14

Ruth Parkinson, 99, of Le Mars, died Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013 at her son's home in Vienna, Va.

Ruth Evelyn Parkinson, the daughter of William and Mabel (Austin) Wedd, was born April 22, 1914, in Oakhill, Kan.

She was the oldest of four siblings: Mildred (McKale), Ralph Wedd and Marian (Brickley).

Ruth graduated from Longford High School in Longford, Kan. She attended the (Western Union) college that became Westmar and met Schubert Parkinson.

After her second year at Westmar, she became part of the traveling music group called Parkinson National Music Ensemble before marrying Schubert.

On Dec. 31, 1934, Ruth and Schubert Spencer Parkinson were united in marriage in Le Mars. To this union was blessed three children: Pam (Hirschman), Bill Parkinson and Mike Parkinson.

In 1946 Ruth and Schubert returned to Le Mars. They operated a music store from their home and later opened a shop downtown.

They also operated a music store in Cherokee for a few years. Also during those years, Ruth and Schubert purchased Sheiffel Music, in Sioux City.

They retired in 1990.

Ruth was an active member of the Le Mars Bible Church. She taught 2-4-year-old Sunday school for decades at the Methodist Church.

Along with managing the music store, she gave private music lessons to local students.

In her retirement years, Ruth volunteered at Vermillion Middle School, provided rides to Sioux City for doctor's appointments, and prayed and read to numerous nursing home residents.

While living in Virginia, Ruth was a member of Way of Faith Assembly of God.

She will be lovingly remembered by her children: Pam and Don Hirschman, of Le Mars; Bill and Patty Parkinson, of Vienna, Va.; and Mike and Eileen Parkinson, of Woodbridge, Va.; 13 grandchildren: Nancy Rohr, Bryon, John, Daniel and Joel Hirschman; Rachel, Maria, Jason and Philip Parkinson; Ruth, Paul, Michael and Susanna Parkinson; 10 great grandchildren: Zaiday, Caylan, Kitra, Janea, Paul, Isaiah, Nathan, Kenan, Tabitha and Hannah; a brother, Ralph and Jackie Wedd, of Dunwoody, Ga.; a sister, Marian Bickley, of Copley, Ohio, and several nieces and nephews.

Ruth was preceded in death by their parents, husband, Schubert, sister, Mildred McKale and her husband Don, and a brother-in-law, Ted Bickley.

A Celebration of Life Service will take place at 11 a.m. Friday at the Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home, in Le Mars. Pastor Fred Gums, of the Le Mars Bible Church, will officiate. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memory Gardens, in Le Mars.

Visitation will being at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) at Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. The family will be present from 5-7 p.m. Visitation will resume at 9 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.