"Linda, Lisa, Joni, Sheri and Angie (and families) - I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. Your mom and dad were so good to us kids growing up and we never forgot that. So glad to be part of the family and I am thinking of all of you - wish I didnt live so far away in times like this to be there. Love your cousin, Cindy (Swanson) Wimberly"
In loving memory of
Sheryl Ann Parks
April 4, 1939 - April 18, 2013
Sheryl (Sherry) Ann Parks, 74, of Fort Dodge and formerly of Moorland went home to be with the Lord on Thursday April 18, 2013. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday April 24, 2013 at First Covenant Church in Fort Dodge with Pastor Allan Redenius officiating. Burial will follow at the Callender Cemetery. The visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
Sheryl Ann Swanson, the daughter of Earnest Oliver Swanson and Luella (Birkland) Swanson was born on April 4, 1939 in Fort Dodge, Iowa. She graduated from Moorland Consolidated School in 1957. In December of 1958 Sherry married her high school sweetheart, Jim Parks. Together they purchased 80 acres of farmland west of Moorland in 1960. This became their home for 40 years where they lovingly raised five daughters. She loved her family and thoroughly enjoyed the role of mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and homemaker. She worked for Wal-Mart in the jewelry department for ten years. Sherry and Jim joyfully worked together many long hours to remodel the 1914 home built by Jim's grandparents. This became their home in 1999. Many special family gatherings were celebrated in this home. She deeply loved her family and always looked forward to family gatherings.
Sherry was a member of the First Covenant Church in Fort Dodge. She loved her church family and was so very thankful for their love and friendship. She was a servant at heart. She always put others before herself. She was a devoted grandmother who loved spending time with her grandchildren and attending all of their activities. Supporting them in everything they did with a warm hug and a cheerful smile. She will be remembered for her deep faith and love for her savior, for her sweet smile, kind and thoughtful words, and for her many expressions of love toward her family and many friends.
Sherry is survived by her daughters Linda (Kim) Martin of Somers, Lisa (Gary) Schwendemann of Otho, Joni (Kenny) Kruse of Callender, Sheri (Tim) Warrick and Angie (Craig) Green both of Ankeny; grandchildren Mandy (Kurt) Backes, Katie (Brian) Norine, Michael Martin, Laura (Jay) Albrecht, Sarah and Erica Schwendemann, Nicole (Lance) Brandel, Parker and Hunter Kruse, Shayla, Ryan and Faith Warrick and Ashley and Avery Green; great-grandchildren Deegan Brandel, Brock Norine and Jackson Backes; her siblings Carrol of South Dakota, Don of California, LaVonne Beckman of Dayton, Iowa, Charlie of Arizona, Roger of Twin Lakes, Iowa, and Phillip of South Dakota. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 49 years, Jim; her parents Earnest Oliver and Luella; two grandchildren James Kenneth Martin and Kimberly Ann Martin; sister-in-law Pauline Parks Swanson; brother Clyde Swanson; brother-in-law Chuck Beckman and sister-in-law Joyce Hartzler Swanson.
Memorials may be left to the family for their further discretion.
Tributes
"Am sorry to learn of your loss. My prayers and thoughts are with all of you. Ma God and your faith be with you during this very difficult time. Am very saddened. Marla (Walrod) Fox "
"So very sorry for your loss, I remember Sherry always being at all the school events as I grew up with some of your grandchildren.
My deepest sympathies to the whole family!
Amanda (Hanna) Rees"
"So very sorry to hear of the passing of Aunt Sherry; words cannot describe my sadness, and disbelief. Aunt Sherry was one of the kindest, warmest people I have ever met, and she just happened to be part of the family. Always enjoyed going to visit the Parks family at their old farm, where my sisters and I would play for hours, inside and out, with the girls. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family, especially the girls; may The Lord give you comfort and peace in this most difficult time. Craig (and family) Swanson"
"Sharon and I are overwhelmed with sadness. Our condolences to Sherry's whole family. Shirley Alexander"
"Our deepest sympathies go out to the Parks and Swanson families. As many of you know, Charles Swanson is my brother in law and the loss of wife Joyce and now sister Cheryl brings sadness to us all and those who knew and loved them. Carolyn and my knowing Cheryl for many years and attending many of the same athletic events with our children, bring back great memories. May God be with you all during the coming days."
"So sorry to hear the passing of my aunt Sherry. She was a very special person in my early years spending many of Sunday's visiting her and her family. Although I have not been in close contact with Sherry during the last two decades, I've always enjoyed the short times we were able to see each other on my trips to back to Iowa. My prayers go out to her family as they go through this difficult time, that they may have comfort and peace."