Bernis E. Parker

Bernis E. Parker, age 96, of Manhattan, passed away November 25, 2025, at the Wellsprings of Westmoreland in Westmoreland, Kansas.
Bernis was born on October 6, 1929, in Manhattan, the daughter of Archie and Bertha (Popejoy) Graves. She was the fifth of six children. Bernis grew up on the family farm and learned about the work it took to run the daily chores of the farm life. She attended Oak Grove School in Manhattan and then attended Manhattan High School and graduated with the class of 1946.
Bernis met her future husband Kenny Parker at one of the community square dances. She and Kenny were married August 2, 1947, in Manhattan. They lived on the Parker family farm in the Ashland area after Kenny's parents moved into Manhattan. Kenny preceded her in death in 2004.
They were blessed with six children: Wayne, Deanna, Carol, David, Doug, and Daryl. Bernis and Kenny enjoyed raising the family on the farm in Ashland. They were members of the Ashland Community Church for many years. She enjoyed being part of the church groups and activities. Bernis helped form a kids choir at the church and made sure they would sing at church every Sunday morning. Bernis also was involved with 4-H in the community with her kids. She was a 4-H leader for many years. She was part of many clubs in the Ashland area, the Ashland FCE, where she served as the area director and then at the state level as secretary, vice president and then president. As president she enjoyed going to the National Conventions. She went to Holland to ACUU, which was an extremely exciting experience for her. She also took many trips with Kenny over the years, including bus tours.
In addition to her husband Kenny, she was preceded in death by her children David Parker and Deanna Selby; her grandson, Chris Parker; her siblings: Lois Lewis, Evelyn Reece, William Graves, and Gladys Sedam; and her son-in-law Kenny Selby.
She is survived by her children: Wayne Parker (Margaret), Carol Mortimer (Bob), her daughter-in-law Tammy Parker, Doug Parker (Ruth), and Daryl Parker (Michelle), and Candy Rudolph (James); also, her sister Alice Persyn; and her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.
The family will greet friends during a visitation on Thursday December 4 from 6:00 until 8:00p.m. at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00a.m. Friday December 5, 2025, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Paul Barkey officiating. Interment will follow at the Ashland Cemetery near Manhattan.
Memorial contributions in memory of Bernis are suggested to the Ashland Friendship Club or Wellsprings of Westmoreland. Contributions may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, Kansas 66502.