29 Dec 1932 – 11 Oct 2012
2nd-Great-Granddaughter of Philip Cardon and Martha Marie Tourn
Great-Granddaughter of Jean Paul Cardon and Susannah Goudin
Granddaughter of Susette Cardon and Joel Edward Ricks
Daughter of Carrie Ricks and Otto Karl Kowallis
Theda Ellen Kowallis Parkinson 79, of Arco, Idaho, peacefully passed from this life at her home on Thursday, October 11, 2012.
Theda was born December 29, 1932 to her parents, Carrie Ricks and Otto Karl Kowallis, in Vernal, Utah. The family moved to Logan, Utah where she grew up. Being the youngest in her family, she enjoyed the company of her older siblings, Karl, Calvin, Donna, Ted and Louise. She attended schools in Logan and after graduation continued her education at Utah State, majoring in elementary education. While attending college she met and fell in love with Ralph Squires Parkinson. They were married in the Logan LDS Temple on October 16, 1953. They moved to Washington where they both taught school in the winters and spent the summers in Arco, helping on the farm. In 1960 they moved permanently back to Arco. She continued to teach for 2 more years and then focused her time on being a full time mother and farm hand. They are the parents of six children: Scot (Gayla) Parkinson, Arco; Debra (Hal) Hansen, Loveland, CO; Craig Parkinson, Jerome; Eileen (Cory) Haviland, Brigham City, UT; Neil Parkinson (deceased), and Anita (Dale) Kepler, Henderson, NV.
Theda found pleasure in many things in this life. She loved music and had a beautiful voice. In high school she was part of a vocal group called “The 8 Balls”. They traveled through the valley performing at various functions and enjoyed sharing their talents with others. She loved art, reading, gardening, and making her home comfortable for her family. Over the last few years as her health declined she so enjoyed and appreciated the visits and time spent with family and friends.
She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She held many callings throughout her life and enjoyed spending time serving others and her Heavenly Father.
She is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, Ralph Squires Parkinson, 5 children, 22 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She is also survived by all of her brothers and sisters.
A funeral Service will be held Friday, October 19, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at the Arco LDS Church on County Road in Arco, ID.
The family will meet with friends 1 hour prior to the service at the Arco LDS Church on Thursday, October 18, 2012 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Anderson Family Funeral Home.
Interment will be in the Arco Cemetery.
Hillcrest Cemetery, Arco, Butte, Idaho
