Obituary: Robert M. PARKS, 11 Jan. 1937, Washburn Co., Wisconsin ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, or the legal representative of the contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Nance Sampson 11 February 1999 ==================================================================== PARKS, Robert M. Robert M. Parks, one of the community's most highly respected and public spirited citizens and successful farmer, died at 5:15 o'clock Monday afternoon, January 11, 1937, at the Lutheran hospital in Eau Claire, Wis. He was 60 years old. The body was brought to Shell lake by the Raas Funeral Home where it now lies in state until the funeral which has been arranged for Thursday afternoon (today) at 1:30 from the home and 2:00 at the Methodist church in Shell Lake. Rev. L. Lockhart will officiate in the last sacred rites and tribute to an outstanding character in the community. Those from out of town who attended the funeral were: Harry Parks, Amboy, Minnesota, Miss Christina Sharp and Wilbur Roe of Winnebago, Minnesota; Mrs. Lawrence Doolittle and Mrs. Chet Olsen of Truman, Minnesota. The acting pallbearers were William Coleman, B. Gronning, Gust Washkun, Gust Carlson, Carl Hogness and Fred Bruckman. Mr. Parks' robust health and active physique did not reveal any pre-warning of his untimely death which was a shock to the community. The end followed a paralytic stroke, brought on by internal hemorrhages. His first illness began on December 21 and was taken to the hospital on Christmas Eve where every available medical resource was administered but to no avail. All the children were at his bedside when he died. Robert Merril Parks was born at Moores Forks, N. Y., on May 13, 1876. When only a few years old he came with his parents to Amboy, Blue Earth county, Minnesota. At twenty-one he was married to Edith Blanche Roe on March 2, 1897 and they made their home at Hancock, Minnesota, where two children were born, until in 1902 when they moved to Shell Lake. Five children survive his great loss, namely, Richard, Loren, and Leonard; Martha and Ethel. Merril, the oldest, passed away Sept. 27, 1938, and Mrs. Parks died on Oct. 6, 1933. Besides the family the following remain, 3 grandchildren, Joyce, Robert and Marlys Parks, five sisters, Mrs. Lawrence Doolittle, Truman, Minn.; Mrs. Samuel Allen, Amboy, Minn.; Mrs. Nellie Smith, and Mrs. Zada Roe, Winnebago, Minnesota and Pearl Parks, Amboy, Minn.; two brothers, Herry Parks, Amboy, Minn.; and Edward Parks, Blue Earth, Minnesota. Mr. Parks served as assessor for the Town of Barronett for 11 years; served as president of the creamery for the first 5 years after the creamery was built. His untiring efforts were responsible for organizing the creamery as he worked hard in selling shares, and he usually finished what he started. At the time of his death he was president of the Bashaw Valley Telephone Company since 1928. He was one of the early settlers and was honest at work with everybody he met. He was a true citizen and a great helper to his family and friends. He also helped to build a number of roads in the town of Barronett. The sympathy of the entire community is extended to the bereaved. --Taken from the Washburn County Register, 14 January 1937, Shell Lake, Washburn Co., Wisconsin.