Florence Parker

1925 - 2021

Sixty nine years and one day after bringing her third child, Cindy into the home she shared with her husband, John, and her two other children, Cheryl and Jay, Mom went home to be with her Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Mom was born Florence Selma Hofer on October 14, 1925 to her parents John R and Sarah Hofer on a farm near Freeman, SD. She was the ninth of ten children born to John and Sarah. Sadly only seven of her siblings survived childhood.

Mom was only 4 years old when the double whammy of the Great Depression and the dustbowl hit the farmland. Mom's memory of her father's heroic struggle to keep the family farm formed lifelong traits of faith, hard work, determination, pluck, and frugality that all became the hallmarks of Mom's life.

Mom left the farm in her late teens to attend Nettleton Commercial College in Sioux Falls. Sometime later she met the love of her life, John Parker. They married on November 24, 1946. It was a lovely day to tie the knot, if you enjoy blizzards.

To this union were added the three aforementioned children, Cheryl Wieneke (Don), Jay (Cindy), and Cindy Blake (Don), six grand children, and 10 great grand children, who all survive her. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, 5 sisters and 4 brothers.

Mom began work at Sioux Valley Hospital (now known as Sanford) in the late 50's as a switchboard operministrator whose office was conveniently located across the hall from the switchboard at the time. When the current head of housekeeping (now more elegantly referred to as ""environmental services"") announced her retirement, Mom was chosen as her replacement even though she had no previous experience in housekeeping or management. After a semester at Michigan State to learn the ropes of institutional housekeeping, Mom began a career that spanned 3 decades in that position until she retired in 1991.

Once retired, Mom found time to volunteer with Meals on Wheels, and later at Avera McKennan. Mom was also a skilled seamstress and cook. She made most of the clothes that she wore to work. She even took up alterations after she retired, which gave her endless hours of enjoyment. It also maintained her love of ""environmental services"" as it kept untold numbers of old garments out of the landfills and in peoples' closets. Her renown as a baker is family legend. Among her favorite things to do on Saturdays was to craft the most delicious pies this side of heaven that had her family's mouths watering for their Sunday get-to-gathers.

Mom loved her family as she loved her God. Her children and their offspring were the light of her life. They were as precious to her as life itself.

Tuesday night she died quietly in her sleep having run her race and finished the course.

The family would like to acknowledge the care Mom received in the last months of her life from Avera Hospice and Prosperous Home Health. The love, compassion, understanding and concern she received from the respective staffs made Mom's last days more comfortable and bearable. Of exceptional note and due individual recognition were the efforts of April, Dawn, Keara, Patty, Betty and Alice. Your compassion, love and attention to Mom's needs will always be remembered and appreciated!