Gail Lorene Parker

May 20, 1918 - October 28, 2007

New Sharon, Iowa and formerly of Bussey, Iowa

Visitation: Will begin at 10:00 a.m., Thursday morning, November 01, 2007 at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will be at the funeral chapel from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.,Thursday evening to greet visitors.
Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m., Friday morning, November 02, 2007 at Bussey United Methodist Church with Reverend Shannon Munday officiating.
Interment: Pringle Cemetery

Gail a resident of New Sharon Nursing & Rehab Center for the past eight and one-half years, passed away on Sunday at the age eighty nine years, five months and eight days.

Gail Lorene Parker, daughter of Floyd Blaine and Bernice Smith Clendenon was born May 20, 1918 at her maternal grandparent’s rural Eddyville home in Mahaska County. She attended Pleasant Ridge Country School, just up the road from her home, and later attended Oskaloosa High School. She married Herbert Parker on January 5, 1938, at the home of her grandparent’s, Walter and Alice Smith, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Herbert and Gail made their home together and raised their family on a farm four miles east of Bussey. Gail was a member of the Union Liberty Church in rural Bussey and had also attended the Independent Bible Church and the United Methodist Church in Bussey, after she and Herbert had retired and moved into Bussey. She was a 50 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and was a past Worthy Matron.

Gail loved her family and was dedicated to raising her three daughters, encouraging them in behavior and appearance, and in faithful church attendance. She was an excellent cook, and enjoyed growing a big vegetable garden and canning and freezing the results. She also loved her flowers; especially pink petunias, roses, and peonies. Her home was always nicely decorated in shades of pink, beige, and dusty rose. She also had a cherished collection of blue glass. Gail enjoyed feeding the birds, reading, and being outside with her husband. She will be remembered by many for her caring card ministry.

Gail passed away at the age of 89 years, 5 months and 8 days Sunday morning at the New Sharon Nursing and Rehab Center where she had been a resident for the last eight and one half years. Gail’s family includes her daughters and sons-in-law: Sheryl Lynne and Loren Carter of Sully, Iowa and their children and grandchildren: Susan and Mark Brouwer (Nicolas and Chelsae), Wes Carter (Patrick), Chris & Lisa Carter (Christopher, Sarah and Katie); Sherry Lane and Bob Carter of Steamboat Springs, Colorado and their children and grandchildren: Teresa and Shannon Munday (Tyler, Thayne and Cherith), Ken and Tammy Carter (Cheyenne, Naomi and Abigail) and Ben and Lisa Carter (Braiden); Jerelyn Lee Kinman of Eddyville, Iowa and her children and grandchildren: Chad and Shelly Spaur (Kyrsten, Kiera and Darian) Sarah Spaur and Quinn Kinman. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert, on October 21, 1994, and a brother, Russell Clendenon.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideons.