Fern Marie Parker

Fern Marie Parker, 99, passed away on September 28, 2020, in Lee’s Summit, MO. A private graveside service will be held in Blue Springs Cemetery. In her honor, contributions are suggested to Lumicare Hospice. Fern was born on the family farm in Blue Springs on November 6, 1920 to Homer Helm and Lula (Chapman) Helm. As a young girl, she enjoyed helping her parents tend to the garden and watching her dad horse-plow the fields. She graduated from Blue Springs High School in the class of 1938. A young man named Kenneth Parker was driven eastward due to the Kansas Dust Bowl, and he found a job working as a hired hand on the Helm farm. Fern and Kenneth began courting, and were married on July 31, 1939 in their minister’s backyard in Oak Grove, MO. They made their first home in the Fairmount district, and they welcomed their first son, Warren. After WWII ended, they moved to Boulder, CO and had two more sons, Gary and Larry. In 1957, the family moved back to Independence. Kenneth owned and operated a flooring company, which Fern assisted with until she was 85. She also worked for the Blue Springs School District as a baker and cafeteria manager – and her hot rolls were second to none! She was a longtime member of the Church of Christ, and loved to read, crochet, cross-stitch, bake, and even would yodel from time to time, a skill she picked up as a young girl. Fern was petite, but also a force to be reckoned with – thanks to her strong-willed German heritage. Fern is survived by her three sons Warren Parker (wife Mary), Gary Parker (late wife Lynn), Larry Parker (Brenda); 7 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and many extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth; parents Homer and Lula; two sisters Velma and Gladys; and one infant brother. Online condolences may be expressed at www.speakschapel.com (Arr: Speaks Suburban Chapel 816-373-3600)