Mass of Christian Burial for Arlene Parks, age 82, of Valentine, Nebraska will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Valentine. Rosary will be recited on Friday, July 24, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at the church. Visitation will be on Friday at 1:00 p.m. at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines in Valentine, Nebraska.
Mrs. Parks passed away on July 20, 2020 at Oak Wood in Valentine.
Memorials may be made to the Valentine Senior Center or St. Nicholas Catholic Church.
On Monday, July 20, 2020, Arlene Parks, a long time resident of Valentine, who was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away at the age of 83 at Oakwood Assisted Living facility in Valentine, Nebraska.
Arlene was born on February 12, 1938 in Alamosa, Colorado to Felix and Domitila Manzanares. On December 27, 1955, Arlene married Jerry E. Parks and celebrated 59 years of marriage before Jerry passed away on November 15, 2015.
Jerry and Arlene moved to California in 1956 and welcomed their four children - Larry, Gay, Bud and JJ to the family during that time. The family returned to Valentine in 1966 and took ownership of the Home Cafe/Home Oil and Tire Company on New Year's Day.
Arlene worked along side her family in running the family business for over 30 years, and yet she never missed any of children's activities. She was their biggest cheerleader and supporter. Arlene believed it was important to make a difference in the community and was involved in several activities and organizations through her years in Valentine and instilled this belief in her family. Some of those activities & organizations included: church organist at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Cherry County Historical Society, Centennial Hall, the USO, Pink Ladies at the Cherry County Hospital, Valentine School drill team, Xi Beta Omega Sorority, along with many other community groups and organizations.
Arlene is survived by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren: Larry and wife Becky of Thornton, Colorado and children Michael and Sean; Gay Pickner and husband Barry of Pierre, South Dakota and children Bumper, Tyler and wife Megan and daughters Bella, Lyla & Macy; Bud and wife Shelley of Valentine, Nebraska and children Megan Ruiz and husband Frankie and children Brooklyn, Maia and Eric; Andrew and wife Shelly and daughters Evie, Lily and Marvel; Jerry and wife Morgan and daughters Amelia and Aurora; Josh Watts and wife Josie and children Shawn Jr and McKenzie; JJ Harvey and husband Matt of Littleburg, South Dakota and their children Emilee, Grayson, Trent and wife Jenna and son Hudson; and sister-in-law Jane Manzanares of Pueblo, Colorado. Other surviving relatives include Bob and Jim Dean, along with many nieces and nephews.
Arlene was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry; her parents Felix and Domitila Manzanares; her siblings Mary Arguello, Judy Abeyta and Ed Manzanares.