Kenneth Herbert Parks

Kenneth Herbert Parks (Ken), beloved husband of the late Betty Parks, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2024, at the Wynyard Golden Acres Lodge. Ken’s family is very grateful to the staff for the level of care given to him during his time there. Also special thanks to the Foam Lake Homecare teams for their care given to Ken over the past few years. He made so many special bonds with many of them.

Ken was born in Davidson, SK on December 5, 1932, to Oscar Frederick Parks and Nettie Marie Parks (née Walp). He grew up on the farm near Craik, with his two brothers and two sisters. Having known a happy family life, it was natural for him to want a large family of his own. Ken is the father to six boys and to three girls. Ever since he was a toddler, music filled his life. His mother played the organ, and older brothers played accordion and guitar. He quickly learned how to play the fiddle and to sing. As he grew up, he would play in local square dances, while his dad, O.F. Parks, was the caller in the square dance. While growing up, Ken went to the Sunkist school and took correspondence courses in taxidermy. He grew up helping with chores on the farm.  He was very active in the 4H club, learning about cattle and of natural prairie plants and grasslands. After he completed his schooling, he took various jobs in the area, one of them was painting signs for businesses. He loved going to the local dances and to the Manitou Beach dance hall. He spoke fondly of the bands he would hear at the dances. He was also an avid sportsman with fishing and hunting. In 1952, Ken received his taxidermy certificate. He also loved cars. His most beloved was the Cadillac. Ken was also a very talented artistic painter. Over the years, he painted many pieces for family and friends, including large murals of landscapes and animals, some of which while employed at the Museum of Natural History in Regina in 1955, now known as the Royal Saskatchewan Museum.  

Ken married Betty Joy Doreen Lazell on December 28, 1954. In 2020, prior to Betty’s passing, they celebrated sixty-six years together. Throughout their years together, they lived in many towns and cities MB and SK, the most recent being Wynyard from 1968-1996 and Foam Lake from 1997-2023. Then Ken decided to move to the seniors home in Wynyard for a few months prior to his passing. Throughout the years, Ken worked at many different jobs in agriculture, including chief herdsman at the University of Manitoba, and in other various jobs and small businesses that he and Betty started together over the years. Ken began his long-term career in the monument craft in 1970, working for Good-Hall Memorials in Wynyard. He worked at this, helping to make hand crafted monuments, provide custom drawings, and to teach others about the craft until his retirement in 1997. At this time, he and Betty moved to Foam Lake. He then opened a small monument shop on Main Street, selling monuments that the Wynyard team would then craft and deliver. He worked at that until he was 86, at which time he decided it was maybe time to retire. His daughter, Deb, then took over. In the 70’s, Ken also spent many winters maintaining the Wynyard arena with the help of some of his children. He also opened a taxidermy and sporting goods business in the mid 70’s with some of the children learning the skills and business operations. During this time, he was also elected to be the president of the Wynyard Wildlife Federation.

While raising his family, many trips were taken to visit family in the Craik and Davidson area. Fishing and camping trips were also enjoyable getaways to Last Mountain Lake and to Fishing Lake. Between all these events, Ken would always enjoy tinkering on cars, then enjoy a visit with his pals on coffee row.

Ken was a member of the United Church and spent many years singing in the choirs in Wynyard and Foam Lake. His faith helped him through many of life’s trials or up and downs. He always had his family bible near, with a bookmark on Psalm 23.

Later in life, Ken painted less art, and played more music, both in solo with self compositions, and in playing with various groups in the area, including his beloved Tuffnell Circle Jammers. He also enjoyed spending as much time as possible at the cabin while fishing at Fishing Lake. He enjoyed the life of service. He was active in various volunteer positions in Foam Lake, one of which was the president of the Foam Lake Senior’s Association.  

Ken is survived daughter Gwen Croswell of Wynyard, SK, son Terry (Audrey) of Moose Jaw, SK, son Don (Karen) of Calgary, AB, daughter Deb Parks of Elfros, SK, son Murray (Linda) of Kelliher, SK, son Brad of Saskatoon, SK and son Colin (Shelly) of Beaumont, AB, by sister-in-law Elizabeth Parks of Regina, SK, by sister-in-law Helen Gust, of Sherwood Park, AB, brother-in-law Jim Runzer, of Penhold, AB, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Ken leaves behind so many beautiful grand children and great grandchildren. He always asked about them, and wanted to know how each of them were doing whenever their names came up in conversation.

His 11 grandchildren are Kimberley Croswell (Allan), Preston Croswell (Rosie), Kenley Croswell (Janice), Jennifer Parks (Gord), Jonathan Parks (Stefanie), David Parks (Ania), Michelle Bairstow (Bryan), Mark Zemlak (Jess), April Plessl (Justin), Amber Kluz (Jordan), and Catlin Parks (Shauna). Alexandra and Steele also held a special place in Ken’s heart.

His 11 great grand children are Abigail and Alexander Croswell, Lucy and Laela Parks, Hunter, Lennon, and Grey Plessl, Nathan and Layne Croswell, Dax and Jase Kluz.

Ken was predeceased by his wife Betty Parks, son Roger Parks, daughter Sharon Parks, grandson Ryan Croswell, by his father, Oscar Frederick Parks, his mother Nettie Marie Parks, brothers Allan Parks and Howard Parks, sisters Elsie Flickinger and Evelyn Purves, sisters-in-law Roma Parks and Margaret Parks, and by brothers-in-law Ed Purves, Lorne Wolfe and Charles Flickinger, by son-in-law Ken Zemlak, and by daughter-in-law Marilyn Olafson.

Ken sang his whole life. He recently began singing again and became re-acquainted with his St. Patrick’s Day repertoire. He was also working to remember all the words to a song that he would sing to Betty. Perhaps he knew that he had to get it right to perform it for her again soon.

Ken leaves behind so many dear friends and family members. A celebration of his life will be announced at a future date. The family can be contacted at Box 178, Foam Lake, SK S0A 1A0

The Tuffnell Circle Jammers

C/O Hank Ukrainetz

PO Box 57

Tuffnell, SK   S0A 4G0