Karen A. (Kenney) Parks, 89 years of age, of Beatrice, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday evening, Nov. 15, 2023.
She was born Oct. 16, 1934, in the back of her parents grocery store in Alliance to John and Bertha (Moberly) Kenney. Karen graduated from Dorchester High School in 1952. After graduation, she taught school for two years in a one-room country school near Dorchester. On Aug. 24, 1954, she married the love of her life, Earl H. Parks, and from this union, three sons were born: Kenneth, John and Larry. Karen and Earl moved to Beatrice in 1962.
Karen was a member of the United Methodist Church in Dorchester. She was a stay-at-home mom who dedicated her life to her family. Karen stayed involved in her kid's activities and was a Cub Scout den mother and a PTA member. She loved bowling, golf and was an avid bridge player. Golf became a family activity and Hidden Acres was their haven. Karen was so loving and caring that she made each one feel very special. Her family is missing her very much.
Survivors include her three sons, Kenneth (Brenda) Parks of Crete, John Parks of Beatrice and Larry (Tracy) Parks of College Station, Texas; five grandchildren, Jason Parks of Chandler, Arizona, Cameron Parks of Bryan, Texas, Sydney Parks of Austin, Texas, Shelby Parks of Lincoln, and Jacob Parks, U.S. Army, Hawaii; and great-grandson Kyler Parks of Chandler. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Earl (2018); and great-grandson Christian Michael Parks.
A Celebration of Life service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, at the United Methodist Church in Dorchester. The service will be Livestreamed on www.ghchapel.com. Burial of ashes will be in the Dorchester Cemetery. Public visitation will be Tuesday, Dec. 19, from 1 – 8 p.m. at the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice with the family greeting friends there from 6 – 7 p.m. A family prayer service will be at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday at the church. A memorial has been established to the family's choice with the funeral home in charge.
In remembering Karen, we invite you to share your memories, view her video tribute and service livestream, and upload photos to her memorial page at www.ghchapel.com. Let us remember Karen for her generous spirit, and let her legacy live on in our hearts. Arrangements by Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.
