Bart Parsons Obituary

Barton Lee Parsons, better known as “Bart” by family and friends, was born September 13, 1931, in Manderson, South Dakota, the fourth of seven children born to Bill and Helen (Elshere) Parsons. The family had moved there to find work during the early dust bowl years of the depression. The family moved back to Milesville, South Dakota in the spring of 1935.

Bart attended grade school in Milesville and graduated from Philip High School in 1949. After high school he began farming and ranching in Milesville. During the summer of 1950, a traveling missionary named Bob Huff spent part of the summer living with the family. During that time, Bart accepted God’s free gift of salvation at the age of 19, shortly after his father died in an accident.

He married Janice Thorson on February 5, 1958. Together they raised their children: Sharon Olivier of Milesville, Nancy Hohwieler of Lincoln, Nebraska, Earl Parsons of Milesville, and Mike Parsons of Spearfish. Bart and Janice were faithful members of the Hardingrove Evangelical Free Church and attended Sunday morning services their entire life together.

Bart loved to farm and ranch. He loved cattle and horses, good crops and green grass, rodeos, and baseball games. He enjoyed visiting with friends and family, playing cards, and going for drives with Janice and friends just exploring the country. On one Sunday drive with their good friends, Dick and Gene Hudson, they drove about 500 miles just exploring.

Bart and Janice attended many rodeos over the years, from the local rodeos around Milesville, Philip, and Faith, to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. He had an autographed picture of himself and rodeo saddle bronc champion, Billy Etbauer.

Bart was an extremely hard-working man who worked to provide for his family. He was generous, sharing what he had with those in need. He had the gift of conversation and could strike up a conversation with almost anyone. Bart had a sharp mind, whether working out math problems in his head or figuring out what cards his opponent had in the game of 4-point pitch. He always claimed to have only read two books in his life: Smokey the Cowhorse and The Enchanted Castle; but we all know he read the Bible every night. Bart was also a very humble man; so much so that he did not even tell his family about receiving the Heartland Limousin Commercial Producer Award at the Black Hills Stock Show in 2002.

Survivors include his wife, Janice of Milesville; sons, Earl (Jodi) Parsons of Milesville and Michael (Melody) Parsons of Spearfish; daughters, Sharon (Bryan) Olivier of Milesville and Nancy (George) Hohwieler of Lincoln, NE; ten grandchildren: Tyler Olivier and Stacy Lewis, Shea Olivier, Andy and Kylie Hohwieler, Bradley Hohwieler, Jordan and Michaela Hohwieler, Rachel Parsons, Sarah Parsons, Bailey and Dylan Terry, Carter Parsons, and Landon Parsons; two great-grandchildren: Liam Olivier and Hallie Hohwieler; brother, Billie (Connie) Parsons of Milesville; sisters, Doris Berry of Milesville, Mary Slovek of Philip, and Leah (James) Waddell of Phoenix, AZ; sister-in-law Joanne Parsons; and many other relatives and friends.

Bart was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law George Hohwieler; brothers, Boyd Parsons Sr. and Dean Parsons; brothers-in-law Kenneth Berry and Frank Slovek; and sister-in-law Blanche Parsons.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 24, from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at Rush Funeral Home in Philip.

Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 25, at Hardingrove Community Evangelical Free Church in Milesville with Pastor Gary Wahl officiating.

Guest Book

So sorry for your loss. May fond memories ease the mind and comfort you
~ Bill and Marsha Sumpter Kadoka (10/24/2023)

God has gained another great man! What a wonderful neighbor and friend to my folks, Jim and Elaine Williams. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
~ Tom and Jane Aasby Piedmont SD (10/23/2023)

Our deepest sympathy to Barts family. Always a gentleman.
God give peace and assurance.
~ Ed and Joyce Buchholz Belle Fourche (10/24/2023)

We are thinking of you folks during this time of loss. Les enjoyed the many years doing business with Bart at the elevator. Hold on to all the memories.
~ Les & Joann Pearson Philip, SD (10/24/2023)

So sorry to hear of your loss. Praising that he is with Jesus. So blessed to have gotten to know him and your family during the time we were in Philip, SD.
~ Christie Stewart Wales, Michigan (10/25/2023)

Philip, It is always with a heavy heart was when we lose someone.
~ Trisha Ireland Martin / Philip SD (10/23/2023)

Wonderful neighbor and friend. So helpful to a young rancher. We know Bart is now smiling in paradise.
~ Dan & Gayla Piroutek Milesville SD (10/23/2023)

My sincere condolences on your family’s loss. I know my parents, Earl & Erma Gabriel, thought a lot of Billy. He was always so kind & always had time to stop for a quick chat when I lived in Philip. His loving kindness will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Lifting you all up in prayers for peace & comfort.
~ Cindy Gabriel Nuzum Wall, SD (10/24/2023)

Prayers for your family. I loved hearing stories of Bart and I know he will be greatly missed. ❤️
~ Anna Mathis/Berry Kansas City (10/23/2023)

Janice and family-My thoughts and prayers are with you. Blessings, Elaine
~ Elaine Staben Bozeman, MT (10/23/2023)

Thoughts and prayers
~ Randy and Marsha Johnson Philip (10/24/2023)

We have always known Bart to be a quiet and kind man. He raised a beautiful family with Janice, who has to be the nicest woman on Earth! We know the loss of Bart will be difficult, but know he was well-loved and cared for during his time here. Many thoughts of comfort to Janice and the family.
~ Jason and Vonda Hamill Milesville, SD (10/24/2023)

Janice & Family, Our thoughts and Prayers are with you.
~ Ralph & Cathy Fiedler 2130 Ellen St (10/24/2023)

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family . We always enjoyed visiting with Bart.

~ Tucker and Bev Hudson Howes SD (10/25/2023)

My deepest condolences for your families loss. I know my parents, Earl & Erma Gabriel, always thought highly of Bart & enjoyed visiting with him. He always stopped for a chat whenever I saw him out & about when I lived in Philip too, what a kind man he was. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Lifting your family up in prayers for comfort.
~ Cindy Gabriel Nuzum Wall, SD (10/24/2023)

Sorry to hear about Bart. There are so many memories of his gentle soul from Mike and I playing baseball both with and against each other, a slight fire on the 4th, so many gatherings and branding "just a few"
His faith has come to fruition. Enjoy the memories and peace to all
~ Doug Thorson Kimball NE (10/25/2023)