Shirley A. Parks

Shirley Ann Parks formerly of Ogallala passed away in Alexandria, Virginia on November 4, 2024, from complications of Alzheimer's Disease.
She was born June 17, 1939, in Denver, Colorado to Clara Henry Singleton and James DeWitt Singleton. The Singletons ranched and farmed at Byers, Colorado where Shirley grew up riding horses to the one-room school, driving the grain truck behind the combine at harvest, and attending dances at the local Grange Hall. Shirley graduated from Ft. Morgan High School, and then attended Colorado State University (CSU) in Ft. Collins, studying psychology. While at CSU she met and married veterinary student M. Douglas Parks.
After graduation, Shirley and Doug moved to Ogallala, Nebraska where they opened the Ogallala Veterinary Clinic. Shirley was a full partner in the business, handling everything from the books and billing to acting as a nurse and surgery assistant. Shirley had an abiding love of politics and believed government should make people's lives better and she worked to make that belief come true. She was elected to the Ogallala School Board numerous times eventually serving as Board President. Shirley was active in the local and State Democratic Party her whole life, serving as County Chair and other offices. In 1978, she was appointed to the Nebraska Senate by Governor Bob Kerrey. Shirley was also a co-founder of Women Involved in Farm Economics (WIFE), a bipartisan organization that advocated for economic policies in support of family farms. Shirley received numerous awards including the Woman of the Year from Business and Professional Women. In 1980, Shirley was appointed as a Regional Director of the Census. She managed a staff of hundreds of census takers who conducted the decennial count for the western two-thirds of Nebraska.
Shirley was also active in Eastern Star, rising to become Worthy Matron in the Ogallala chapter, and was active in many other local activities from delivering meals on wheels to the Methodist Women's group to the Red Hatters.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Dr. M. Douglas Parks, as well as her parents, and two brothers, James Singleton, Jr., and Carlton Singleton.
She is survived by her children Bellamy Parks-Jansen, Craig Parks, and Gregory Parks, as well as four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Visitation will be Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at Draucker Funeral Home Chapel from 9:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M. (MST).
A graveside Service will be held Friday, November 29, 2024, in Fort McPherson National Cemetery at 1:00 P.M. (CST) in Maxwell, NE.
Condolences may be left by going to www.drauckerfh.com and clicking Tribute Wall.
Draucker Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
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