"Thinking of you and your family . I am a distant relative of Cliff's the Mairs side. I remember our fun picnic's at Marshalltown parks. Our sympathy to you and your family."
In loving memory of
Clifford F. Parker 09/24/2019
November 24, 1933 - September 24, 2019
Clifford Ferguson Parker, 85, of Conrad, IA, passed away Tuesday, September 24, 2019, at UnityPoint Health in Marshalltown, IA. Funeral Services will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 28, 2019, at the Conrad United Methodist Church in Conrad, with Rev. Gerry Kahler officiating. Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, September 27, 2019, at the Conrad United Methodist Church. Interment will be in the Conrad Cemetery in Conrad. A memorial has been established in his name. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Conrad Chapel of Anderson Funeral Homes. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com.
Clifford F. Parker was born November 24, 1933, to Robert and Beulah (Hawk) Parker on their farm in Marshall County. He was a graduate of Conrad High School in Conrad. Cliff was a Private 1st Class in the US Army during the Korean War from 1953 to 1955. Cliff was united in marriage to Karen Kruse on May 31, 1969, at the Conrad United Methodist Church in Conrad. He was a self-employed farmer and an owner-operator truck driver for Overnite Express for 20 years. Cliff traveled all 50 states, except Vermont. He loved to plow the earth and helped found the Iowa Plowing Association. Cliff loved competition plowing and was the Champion of the National Plowing Championship in 1981 and plowed in Australia, Maine, and Iowa. He was a member of the Conrad American Legion, the Conrad United Methodist Church, and was president of the Lions, the Marshall County Pork Producers, and Ploughing Association.
Cliff is survived by his wife, Karen; his children: Kristie (Jim) Johnson of Marshalltown and Justin (Jennifer) Parker of Grimes, IA; son-in-law Mike Butler of State Center, IA; his grandchildren: Jacelynn and Ross Johnson and Jarrett and Janae Parker; sisters Arlene Selby of Marshalltown and Carol (Bruce) Altenhein of Conrad. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jane Anne, sister Roberta Risting, and brother Dale Parker.
Tributes
"Karen and family- My thoughts and prayers are with each of you. I know that he and Max are once again having a GREAT visit. Shirley Stanley"
"Sorry to hear of your loss, Blessings to you."
"Karen and Family, I first met Cliff in the early 60's when I was in high school. His quick wit and sense of humor made it fun to be in his presence. His God, family, and the farmland were his love and focus. The "Highest Cliff" (his CB handle, as the Parker farm was located on the highest elevation in Marshall county) and I spent lots of time on the airwaves attempting to solve the world's problems. Later in life when I had left Iowa and the farm, I was blessed to see his 18 wheeler on the Pennsylvania roadways and renew our fellowship via cellphone. We shared our mutual growing faith in Christ and were actually able to meet and have coffee at a truckstop near Harrisburg PA. I count Cliff as a steadfast, loyal friend, from getting teased when I was dating his sister, to plowing matches, to seeing how he loved his family and work. He was truly a unique and good friend, the likes of which are rarely found in the fickle world we live in today. See you in GLORY my Brother!!!!"
"Parker family....so sorry to hear of Clifford's passing. Prayers abundantly coming your way. Don & Delores Hauser & family"
"It is difficult to pick just one memory when someone has been in your life since birth. Most of my Cliff Parker-memories involve the farm machinery , livestock, barn animals, and a guy who loved his family. I feel blessed to be born into a family where love, honor and fun were part of our values. Cliff was such an example of this. Thank you Uncle Cliff for blessing my life with your presence. Say hi to the Parker gang in heaven. ?Dorene "