Olive Parker
January 28, 1915 ~ January 1, 2016
Served by: Luce, Luze & Reck Funeral Homes
Olive Parker, 100, of Highmore, passed away Friday, January 1, 2016 at the Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital in Miller.
Funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 14, 2016 at Luze Funeral Home, Highmore with Pastor Roger Day officiating. Burial followed at the Highmore Cemetery.
Olive Hildred was born January 28, 1915 at Aten, Cedar County, Nebraska to Benjamin and Mary (Gorman) Cellan. On October 14, 1936, she was united in marriage to Gordon Parker in Highmore, and to this union, five children were born: Shirley, Sharon, Sheila, Mary, and Michael. They farmed until 1954 when they moved into Highmore. Gordon passed away December 4, 1965. Olive worked at Dalton’s Korn Krib, Tomter Drug, Prairie View Motel, U.S. Post office, Highmore school, and Olive’s Little Bake Shop.
In her free time, Olive enjoyed cooking and traveling. She was able to visit all 49 states and made many trips to Branson, Missouri with her son, Michael. She loved her family, music, and NBA Basketball. She often said her most enjoyable work was as the lunchroom cook as she loved the children. In 1998, she was the recipient of the Bob Thingelstad Award and resident in Hyde County for 97 years.
Her memory will be cherished by her children: Shirley (Lawrence) Lynch of Highmore, Sharon Abernathy of Mitchell, Sheila (Clayton) Merchen of Norris, Mary (John) Weidenbach of Rapid City, and Michael Parker of Miller; 12 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; 10 great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; five sisters; and six brothers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in her honor can be directed to St. Jude’s Hospital or Disabled Veteran’s.
Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Olive's arrangements.
Funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, January 14, 2016 at Luze Funeral Home, Highmore with Pastor Roger Day officiating. Burial followed at the Highmore Cemetery.
Olive Hildred was born January 28, 1915 at Aten, Cedar County, Nebraska to Benjamin and Mary (Gorman) Cellan. On October 14, 1936, she was united in marriage to Gordon Parker in Highmore, and to this union, five children were born: Shirley, Sharon, Sheila, Mary, and Michael. They farmed until 1954 when they moved into Highmore. Gordon passed away December 4, 1965. Olive worked at Dalton’s Korn Krib, Tomter Drug, Prairie View Motel, U.S. Post office, Highmore school, and Olive’s Little Bake Shop.
In her free time, Olive enjoyed cooking and traveling. She was able to visit all 49 states and made many trips to Branson, Missouri with her son, Michael. She loved her family, music, and NBA Basketball. She often said her most enjoyable work was as the lunchroom cook as she loved the children. In 1998, she was the recipient of the Bob Thingelstad Award and resident in Hyde County for 97 years.
Her memory will be cherished by her children: Shirley (Lawrence) Lynch of Highmore, Sharon Abernathy of Mitchell, Sheila (Clayton) Merchen of Norris, Mary (John) Weidenbach of Rapid City, and Michael Parker of Miller; 12 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; 10 great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; five sisters; and six brothers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in her honor can be directed to St. Jude’s Hospital or Disabled Veteran’s.
Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Olive's arrangements.
A Funeral Service was held on January 14, 2016 at 2:00 PM at Luze Funeral Home, 306 S. Iowa St. in Highmore, South Dakota 57345
A Graveside Service was held on January 14, 2016 at 2:45 PM at Highmore Cemetery in Highmore, South Dakota 57345
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Dear Mike and Mary, Olive Parker was a genuine Highmore High allstar. Her dedication to all the students with a friendly smile made everyone’s high school years much easier. I remember how proud she was of HHS’s best cross country athlete. She was justly proud and lived a great life in a great small town on the prairie. God Bless her soul. Bret Garrian
God bless you folks…we will miss Olive…praying for you all.
I am so sorry to hear of Olives Passing. She was such a quiet kind lady. You all were so lucky to have her in your life for so long. Bless you all. Nancy Hanson Taylor
I have many fond memories of playing baseball in the lot next to Olive’s house. She was always a very nice lady. My sympathies go out to Mike and the rest of the Parker family.
I will always remember Olive’s smiling face, and kind greeting while going through the lunch line as a kid. Thoughts and prayers for her family. RIP Olive, you’ve earned it.
Many fond memories of Olive’s wonderful baking. Hello to Mary and John Weidenbach
Sorry to hear of her passing. She was a special lady.
The town has lost an icon, your Mother was an amazing woman. I am so sorry for your loss.
Grandma will be greatly missed by everyone.
Grandma will be greatly missed by everyone.
Dear Family I have so many wonderful memories of Olive. She was full of kindness and caring, and the amazing skills of a pioneer woman….. and yes I still remember the smell of her fresh baked bread. I am sorry for your loss. LV
Your family will have many wonderful memories that span the length of your mother’s long life. She will be especially remembered by me for her wonderful cookies! May those memories comfort you in the days and weeks to come. Hugs to you Mike.
My prayers are with Olives’ family. I enjoyed working with Olive at Tomter Drug, many years ago. She was such apleasant lady and soft spoken. I tis hard to lose ones mother, no matter how old or how sick. Sincerley , Sharon
Prayers for all of Aunt Olive’s family. It’s been many years since we’ve been in contact, but my thoughts are with you all. I would love it if you [cousins] would contact me.
We are very sorry to hear about Aunt Olive’s passing. She is the last of my family, the youngest sister to my father, Jacob Roy Cellan. The last time I saw her was at his funeral in 1958 in Casper, Wyo, along with her family. Please accept our prayers for the family. We would love to hear from you when you feel up to it.