William E. PARKS

PARKS, ECKERMAN, ENGELCKE, VOIGT, LOUSCHER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 3/16/2011 at 14:08:13

William E. Parks
January 1, 1924 - February 8, 2011

Dorcas E. Parks
November 6, 1921 - February 21, 2011

William E. Parks, age 87, of Spirit Lake, Iowa, died on Feb. 8 at Hilltop Care Center in Spirit Lake. Thirteen days later, after her husband’s death, Dorcas E. Parks, age 89, of Spirit Lake, died on Feb. 21 at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake.

William E. Parks was born on Jan. 1, 1924, in Spencer, Iowa, to Frank and Chloe (Eckerman) Parks. He graduated from Spencer High School, where he was first-team all-conference and honorable mention all-state in basketball. William served his country in the United States Army during World War II. He served in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. After the service, he attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa, before enlisting in the U.S. Army Officer School, where he was commissioned first lieutenant.

Dorcas was born on Nov. 6, 1921, in Spencer, S.D., to Karl and Emma (Engelcke) Voigt. Dorcas moved with her family to Sioux Falls, S.D., where she graduated from high school. She furthered her education, graduating from Morningside College with a degree in journalism. Dorcas worked for the Sioux City Journal and the Spencer Daily Reporter, where she met her husband.

William and Dorcas eloped and were married on May 12, 1951. They lived in Albia, Eagle Grove, Milford, Windom and Colorado, before moving to Spirit Lake, where William became the editor of the Spirit Lake Beacon. Dorcas worked in the Spirit Lake High School Library and at the drugstore. William enjoyed spending his spare time golfing, bowling and woodworking, specializing in miniatures. A large dollhouse he constructed was filled with miniature furniture he created. Dorcas loved spending her spare time reading, knitting and teaching others to knit. Both William and Dorcas enjoyed their time together, traveling and spending time with their grandchildren.

William and Dorcas Parks are survived by their four children, Patrick, Brent, Randy and Tammy; Dorcas’s sister, Raeburn Louscher; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held on Saturday, March 12, at Grace Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake. The Schuchert Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

http://www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com/obituary-detail.php?obituary_id=243