Obituary: Howard "Did" Parsons

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In memory of

Howard "Did" Parsons

of Milesville, South Dakota, died on Friday, February 19, 2010 at the Ft. Meade VA Medical Center in Ft. Meade at the age of 85

Howard Parsons, better known as “Did” to family and friends, was born November 16, 1924, on his parents’ homestead in the Hardingrove Community, northwest of Milesville, the son of D. William Cleveland and Charity M. (Fender) Parsons. He grew up on the homestead, attended Hardingrove Rural School for eight years, one year of high school in Milesville, before graduating from Philip High School in 1941.
As a young man he moved to Oregon where he lived with his sister Edna. While he was there, he worked in a sawmill for three years before moving back to Milesville. He worked for Paul Elshere and various other ranchers. One of his favorite things was to ride horses.
Did was united in marriage to Shirley Eymer on August 6, 1950, in Philip. They made their home near Milesville.
He served in the United States Army during the Korean War from October 11, 1950 until his honorable discharge on September 14, 1952.
After his discharge they made their home near Milesville where he worked for Bob Eymer and also Bart Parsons. Later they moved to a ranch which they operated, near the Hartley Community. In 1959, they moved to Hermosa where he worked for Buckingham Transportation. In 1966 the family moved to Eureka, Montana where they ranched and he was the local brand inspector. In 1980, they returned to Philip where he worked as the Veteran’s Service Officer for many years.
Did was a member of the United Church, the Wheeler-Brooks American Legion Post #173, and the Bad River Senior Citizens, where he served as Director, and the AARP Chapter, all of Philip.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman. In his later years, he enjoyed bowling, and was instrumental in getting the men’s card room organized at the Senior Citizens Center.
Survivors include his wife Shirley Parsons of Philip; three sons Neil Parsons of Sidney, Montana, Don Parsons of Cutbank, Montana; and Lee Parsons and his wife Sandy of Eureka, Montana; three daughters Sandra Janzen and her husband Kim of Shelby, Montana, Susan Stapley and her husband Steve of Columbia Falls, Montana, and Tammie Kruger and her husband Don of Bowman, North Dakota; twenty-two grandchildren; twenty-two great-grandchildren; one brother Frank Parsons and his wife Berdyne of Philip; a sister-in-law Sharon Coyle of Philip; a brother-in-law Donnie Eymer and his wife Marsha of Milesville; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Did was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers Quentin “Dude”, Leland “Turk”, Glen, and Bill Parsons; two sisters Edna Blake and Mabel Fox; and one granddaughter Leah Stapley.
Visitation was held 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, February 21, at the Rush Funeral Home in Philip, and one hour preceding the services at the hall on Monday.
Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 22, at the American Legion Hall in Philip, with Pastor Kathy Chesney officiating.
Interment with military honors by the American Legion Post #173 of Philip, was held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, at the Milesville Cemetery.
A memorial is established.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Monday, February 22, 2010 - 10:00 a.m.
American Legion Hall
Philip, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Kathy Chesney
MUSIC
Karyl Sandal - Pianist
Barb Bowen - Vocalist
“On Eagles Wings”
“In The Garden”
USHERS
Ronnie Coyle - Jerry Neville - Phil Pearson
ACTIVE PALLBEARERS
All Did’s Grandchildren
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends In Attendance
INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS
American Legion Post #173 of Philip
Monday, February 22, 2010 - 1:00 p.m.
Milesville Cemetery
Milesville, South Dakota

Open the Memorial Folder

Visitation: 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, February 21, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Philip
Funeral services: 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 22, at the American Legion Hall in Philip.
Interment with military honors: 1:00 p.m. Monday, at the Milesville Cemetery

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So sorry for your loss. Shirley and family, you are in our prayers. ~ Sandee Gittings Philip (2/19/2010)
Shirley and family, our sympathy and prayers to all of you. Did will be missed by all. ~ Bill and Marsha Sumpter Kadoka (2/19/2010)
Shirley & family - our deepest sympathy to all of you. We have very fond memories of both of you when we lived in the parsonage house "next door" to you. He will be missed by many. May the love of family and friends help comfort you at this time. ~ Dave & Karen Webb Rapid City SD (2/19/2010)
Shirley, I am sorry to hear of Did's death. I always remember him fondly as one of the time-keepers at church! Always fun to visit with and a good man. May God give you comfort and peace during this difficult time. ~ Mark Ford St. Cloud, MN (2/19/2010)
Shirley and family-Deepest sympathy to all of Did's family. We know he will be missed by all of you. We were sorry to read of his passing and extend our prayers. Bev & Cork ~ Bev & Cork Jahner Kerrville, Texas (2/19/2010)
My Dear Shirley and Family, So sorry to hear that Did passed away. Our prayer are with you!! God Bless!!
Sending our love, Jerry and Joan ~ Jerry and Joan Cross 20 Park Lane, Buffalo, WY 82834 (2/19/2010)
Tammie and family,

Sorry for your loss. Hugs to you. ~ Rita Sutton Ludlow SD (2/19/2010)
Shirley and Family: Since Dad told me the other day Did was sick and in the Hospital I've been praying for recovery. We can only know that God needed such a Good Man as Did in His plan now. May you find comfort and healing and continue to be surrounded by God and all your Family and Friends. Our Love and Blessings. ~ Mike and Shar Moses Philip (2/19/2010)
Our thoughts & prayers are with you. ~ Lonnie Arneson & Teri Ann Elm Springs, SD (2/19/2010)
Tammie and family,
Our heartfelt sympathies for your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. ~ Don and Wanda Moses dwmoses@windstream,net (2/19/2010)
Tammie & Family,
Are thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Please let us know if there is anything we can do now or later. ~ Cal & Peggy Klewin Bowman, ND (2/19/2010)
From here in Montana.....where you all spent many years and raised a wonderful family. We are sending our love and want you to you are in our thoughts and prayers ..
. Our love Nobby and Betty ~ Norbert & Betty Johnson Great Falls, Montana (2/19/2010)
Our sympathy to you and your family, Tammie. ~ Bob and Brenda Morland Bowman (2/19/2010)
Shirley and family,
So sorry to hear of your loss, our sincere sympathy goes out to you. ~ Buster and Nancy Peterson Kadoka, SD (2/19/2010)
Please accept my condolences in the loss of your loved one. Did was a very nice guy. ~ Bonnie Memphis, TN (2/19/2010)
Dear Family

I want to express my sincere sympathy for the loss of your loved one. You can be assured that comfort and hope are found in the pages of the Bible. In the Bible book of Psalm 55:22 you can read “GOD will sustain you”. I hope this message brings you a measure of comfort.

Sincerely
Mrs. Sandi Watkins
~ Mrs Sandi Watkins 13458 Overbrook Lane (2/19/2010)
Shirley and Sandi,
Read in the paper about Howard and was sorry to hear of his death. Keith sends his thoughts to you Shirley and talks often of working with you in Philip. Pam still remembers all the fun and friends at nursing school in Rapid and would love to see Sandi and catch up. Our prayers are with you during this sad time--keep those memories alive and lean on each other for support. ~ Pam and Keith Bonenberger Kadoka (2/19/2010)
So sorry to hear of Did's passing. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Mae ~ Arlie and Mae Gades Holloway, Mn. (2/19/2010)