Nadene Parsons - Rochester

PLAINVIEW — Nadene Parsons, 82, formerly of Rochester, died Friday April 16th, 2010, at St. Isidore Health Center in Plainview, Minnesota, where she had resided the past two years.

Nadene was born August 11, 1927, in Lake Crystal, Minnesota, to John and Una (Ogan) Geak. She later moved to Good Thunder, Minnesota, where she graduated from high school.

Nadene married Lowell Parsons on July 29, 1945, and they settled in Vernon Center, Minnesota, where she raised sheep and helped her daughter Carla with 4-H activities. Nadene was a meticulous seamstress and was employed at Powell & Sullivan & Massey’s Department Store after she and her husband moved to Rochester in 1966.

Nadene and Lowell enjoyed their golden years in Lakeview, Arkansas, where Nadene enjoyed bible studies, quilting and social gatherings with many friends through their church. She also enjoyed staying at the family cabin near Wabasha, where she watched the wildlife and fed the birds. Nadene and Lowell were very active members of the Rochester Dragon Patrol and Homestead United Methodist Church.

Mom loved to cook; her fried chicken and homemade potato salad were the best.

She is survived by daughters, Carla Ward of Rochester and Lily (Kirk) Bartz of Plainview; eight granddaughters, four great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters; and a sister, Doris (Jerome) Schumacher of North Mankato. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lowell, who passed away November 22, 2009, and two infant daughters.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 20, 2010, at Homestead United Methodist Church, with Jane Day officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church on Tuesday. Burial will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens.

The family requests memorials to the Shriners Children's Hospital.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. www.MackenFuneralHome.com