Victor Parks

    Victor L. Parks, 91, of Rockwell, Iowa, died Thursday, June 14, 2012, at the Rockwell Care Center.
    Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 19, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Rockwell, with Pastor Rhea Evanson officiating.  Interment was at Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Victor L. Parks memorial fund or the donor’s charity of choice.

    Victor LeRoy Parks was born on Aug. 22, 1920 in Belmond, Iowa, the son of Clayton C. and Othella B. (Holaday) Parks. On Nov. 8, 1942, he married the love of his life, Helen Marie Vierkant, a marriage that lasted nearly 68 years, until her death on Aug. 15, 2010.  They had three children, David, Jack and Donna. 
    Vic grew up on farms near Belmond, Cartersville and Rockwell.  He continued to farm near Rockwell until 1973.  Vic and Helen continued to live on that farm until entering the nursing home in 2009.
    In 1962, Vic was seriously injured in a tractor accident on the Hank Cahill farm near Mason City which left him partially paralyzed from the waist down.  Doctors had told the family that he would probably never walk again, but with the assistance and guidance of Bill Otterman at the Easter Seal Village in Clear Lake, he not only walked, but continued to farm for the next 10 years.  Vic also liked sales work, mostly because he liked to meet and talk with people.  He was a long-time salesman for Archer Oil Inc., and Eazy-Dry Inc. (David Manufacturing).  For many years, he sold crop insurance for IMT, and later joined in partnership with Don Hitzhuzen (Hitzhuzen-Parks Insurance and Real Estate Agency) with offices in Rockwell and Clear Lake.  He also worked as a substitute mail carrier.
    Vic was a member of the Rockwell Lions Club (Past President), Associate member of the American Legion Post #208, Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, Moose Lodge, Elks Lodge and others too numerous to mention.  While a member of the Lions Club, he, along with others, were instrumental in getting the new nursing home built in Rockwell.  He served on the Board of Directors of that nursing home, and as the first president of that board.  He served brief periods on other community and country boards from time to time.
    Vic always had a quick smile, and if appropriate, a joke to tell.  He loved to go fishing and golfing with family and friends.  Vic and Helen spent many weekend nights at the Surf, Moose or wherever there was a band to dance to.  They loved to travel and managed to visit all 50 states, Canada and South America.
    Vic was preceded in death by his wife; parents; brother, Orbra (Buck) Parks; son-in-law, Casper Ludvigson; and father and mother-in-law, Harry and Hazel Vierkant.
    Survivors include his children, Dave (Diane) Parks of Clear Lake, Jack Parks of Rockwell and Donna Ludvigson of Edgewood, Iowa; grandchildren, Victoria (Nick) Murphy, Davy Marie Jakl, Zackery Parks, Adam Tyler, Michelle (Kevin) Ames, Derek and Justin Parks, Lonnie, Lorrie and Jeremy Ludvigson; seven great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Elmer (Mary) Vierkant; sisters-in-law, Hazel Darg and Wilda Vierkant; many nieces and nephews, friends, neighbors, and tenant, Steve Sturges.
    Arrangements were with Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, Mason City.