Delores Elaine (Dutler) Parker

Delores Elaine (Dutler) Parker, age 97, peacefully slipped the bonds of this earth in the early morning hours of April 16, 2022.  A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2022 at 10:30 AM at the United Methodist Church of Holstein with the Rev. Scott L. Neumann officiating.  Burial will be at the Holstein Cemetery of Holstein.  A visitation will be held on Friday, April 22, 2022 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Holstein.  Memorials may be made to the Holstein United Methodist Church or Cherokee Regional Medical Center (C.R.M.C.) Hospice.

Delores was born on August 28, 1924, to Sam Dutler, Jr., and Ella (Else) Dutler – the youngest of 4 children.  She attended country schools and graduated from Holstein High School at the age of 16.  She then went to Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls where she received her teaching certificate.  While she taught school in Logan Township, she met a dashing young man and dance partner, Harold L. Parker.  They married on June 20, 1943, and started their family at first on the Parker family farm north of Ida Grove with the birth of daughter Sheryl in 1945, followed by Richard in 1947, Ronald in 1950, Debra in 1956 and Wesley in 1958.

Harold and Delores purchased their own farm north of Holstein in 1955.  Together they not only raised children but almost everything else including beef cattle, hogs, chickens, some dairy cows and a huge garden.  With help from Grandma Ella, Delores became a fabulous cook and turned out all kinds of canned vegetables, fruits, preserves and baked goods.  She was particularly noted for her cinnamon bread, sticky rolls and angel food cakes.

She and Harold both enjoyed music (both played instruments in their high school bands) and loved going to big band dances at local ballrooms with friends and family.  Their Christian faith was evidenced by regular attendance and involvement in church activities and keeping the Sabbath – that may have meant no work except for livestock care but allowed for many extended family gatherings, dinners and Sunday drives.  Delores also ensured that the family would take summer vacations.  She loved the majesty (and coolness) of the mountains and considered these trips as a way to marvel at and enjoy God’s creations.

As Harold’s helpmate and partner in the farm business, Delores served as ranch hand, bookkeeper, gardener, florist, baker, chief cook, nanny, laundress, seamstress and driver.  Between those jobs she was active in the Methodist Church, church circles, social clubs and card clubs.  She was a long-time member of Eastern Star, and served as Grand Matron of Iowa.  She was also a great card player (500, bridge and pinochle).

Delores and Harold highly valued education and instilled family values and a good work ethic in all of their children.  While they were very proud that all five of their children had earned at least one college degree and that all 11 grandchildren have at least one college degree, they were equally proud that their offspring continued with family values, compassion and community contributions. 

Delores was survived by her 5 children:  Sheryl (George III) Barnes, Richard (Barbara) Parker, Ronald (Debra) Parker, Debra Parker, and Wesley (Suzanne) Parker; by 11 grandchildren:  Michelle (Travis) Barnes, Angie (Del) Sadler, George (Abby) Barnes IV, Eric (Betsy) Parker, Matthew (Shannon) Parker, Jason (Katie) Parker, Bryce (Natalie) Parker, Aaron (Bethany) Parker, Adam (Alissa) Parker, Allie (Jonny) Mullings, and Nick Parker; by 8 great grandchildren: Will, Josh, Graham, Emmett, Carlin, Xristianos, Elektra, and George V, and by many Dutler and Parker family nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, her parents, and her siblings, Garnet Hendrickson, Harold Dutler and Donald Dutler.

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