Orion Parks

BRISTOL – Orion Parks 94 of Bristol died on June 2, 2008 at Prairie Lake Hospital in Watertown. His funeral will be at 2:00 PM Thursday June 5, 2008 at Butler Lutheran Church in Butler, Rev. Tom Christenson officiating. Burial will be at Prairie Mound Cemetery near Butler. Visitation will be Wednesday 5 – 7 PM at Fiksdal Funeral Service in Webster. Orion Eugene Parks was born on Saturday, May 23, 1914 to Ray and Nellie (Karstad) Parks on the family farm in Butler Township Day County, South Dakota east of Butler. He was baptized and confirmed at Ebenezer Lutheran Church. He attended Fairview District 116 country school near his home and then graduated from Butler High School in 1932. After high school he began farming with his parents on the family farm, then took over the farm and farmed with his brother, Kermit. On July 17, 1984 he married Suree Tiyastapornvibul at Rapid City, South Dakota. After their marriage the couple lived on the family farm from March through November each year and in her homeland, Thailand the rest of the year. He was currently still farming the family farm with the assistance of his two nephews. He served on the Day County Soil Conservation Board, was a Charter Member of the Day County Izaak Walton League and was a member of Safari Club International. He loved hunting and enjoyed big game hunting in South Dakota, Montana, Africa, Asia and parts of Europe. He enjoyed gardening. Orion passed away on Monday June 2, 2008 at Watertown, South Dakota at the age of 94 years and 10 days. Survivors include his wife, Suree of Bristol, SD; one brother, Kermit (Vera) Parks of Webster, SD; one sister, Jeannette Hogstad of Watertown, SD; a sister-in-law, Verna Parks of Webster, SD; five nephews and four nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Vernon, a sister, Barbarie Rauch and one niece. THANK YOU I would like to express my sincere thanks to all our family, friends and neighbors who were there for me at the family visitation and the funeral for Orion Parks. As well as those who will not be able to come personally at this time. Also thank you so much for the many lovely cards, flowers, and gifts that were sent to me. I know Orion had many friends and family who will miss him as much as I do. Thanks again, Suree Parks (Orion's wife)