Carole Parker

Carole Mae Parker was born on August 17, 1933, to Clarence and B. Muriel (Thompson) Brown in Atlantic, Iowa. She passed away on March 24, 2007, at the age of 73. Carole graduated from Wiota High School in 1951. Following graduation, she was employed as a legal secretary in Atlantic. Carole was married to Billie B. Parker in 1953. They had three children, Michael (Mick), Patti and Dan.

Carole was a true artist in her home decorating, as well as in her beautiful flower gardens. She was a voracious reader, loved antiquing and could always make something attractive out of nothing. Carole enjoyed golfing at Crestwood Hills in Anita, where she holds the distinction of being the first woman golfer to score a hole-in-one. Bill and Carole, along with many other volunteers, helped build the course in the 1960s. Carole was a skilled and entertaining writer, and worked several years at The Anita Tribune, writing news stories, interviews and authoring her weekly column, "Halfway Up The Hill." She served many years on the Anita Library Board, and was editor of the Anita Quasquicentennial History Book.

Carole was preceded in death by her parents, and her brothers, Gerald and Byron Brown. Carole leaves to celebrate her life, her husband of 54 years, Bill, her sons, Mick (Dawn) Parker of Iowa Falls, IA; Dan (Liz) Parker of Elk Horn, IA; and daughter Patti Parker of West Des Moines, IA. Carole also leaves her beloved grandchildren, Kenna Christensen of Casey, IA; Parker Gibson and Graham Gibson of Iowa City, IA; Aishah Parker of Hudson, FL; Kelly Parker of Iowa Falls, Bryan Parker of Iowa Falls, and Alex Parker of Port Richey, FL, as well as a step-grandson, Cole Tucker of Wilmette, IL. Carole is also survived by a brother, Bob (Nola) Brown of Anita, sisters, Donnabelle Willis and Winifred (Babe) Mueller, both of Atlantic; sister-in-law, Genevieve Brown of Altoona, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 28, 2007, at the Hockenberry-Mullen Funeral Home in Anita, with the family present from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Services will be held at the Anita Congregational United Church of Christ on Thursday, March 29 at 10:00 a.m. Memorials may be directed to the Anita Public Library.