Funeral Card Friday - Karon Yaden

Inside of card

Front and Back

This is the funeral card for Karon (Brassfield) Yaden, the sister of my grandfather, Elvis Brassfield.

Karon Louise Yaden passed away on September 20, 2016 with her loving husband, Boyd Yaden, by her side. Karon was born on June 23, 1942 in Lake City, Iowa to Floyd and Thelma Brassfield. She was the youngest of five children. When she was nine years old, the family relocated to the Pacific Northwest so that her father could pursue a welding job in the Vancouver [Washington] shipyards. After graduating high school she enrolled at Portland Christian College, eventually earning her Bachelor's degree in Biology and Physical Education. Upon graduating, she began working as a secondary teacher in Sprague, Oregon. Her career the took a turn and she began working as an Assistant Trust Officer at Wells Fargo Bank, specializing in Real Estate Collections. After many years of employment with Wells Fargo, she became the Administrative Assistant to her husband, Boyd, a Chapter 7 Trustee in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Oregon. Later in life, she added to her education by pursuing additional coursework in special education. After this, she taught as a substitute teacher for the Multnomah Education Service District. Karon met her husband Boyd while taking night course at the American Institute of Banking. Boyd immediately fell for Karon, but Karon wanted to take things a little slower. Undeterred, Boyd would bring Karon a rose every week and after several years of courtship, Boyd and Karon were married on October 9, 1976 at the historic Oaks Pioneer Church. Karon was a great organizer and involved in many civic activities. She was a member of the Military Officers Association of America, the vice president of the Oregon Federation of Garden Clubs, and the Chair of the Oratorical & Essay Contest for the PNW District of Optimist Clubs. More than anything, Karon loved flowers and nature and she proudly earned the title of OSU Master Gardner. While living in Klamath Falls, she received the best in show ribbon at the Klamath County Fair for her beautiful flower arrangement. Karon was always a giver, whether through teaching or sharing plants from her garden with fellow gardeners. Therefore it did not come as a surprise when Karon poured many hours  of volunteer work into establishment of the Blue Star Memorial Highway. When she wasn't busy volunteering or working, Karon also enjoyed bowling or simply watching a good game of golf at home on her television. Karon will be remembered for her adventurous spirit, her kindness, and most of all her love of plants and the outdoors.

Karon was preceded in death by her siblings, Elvis, Betty, and Irene.

She is survived by her husband, Boyd Carrick Yaden; her dog, Tippy; her Quaker parrot, Ziggy; her sister, Joyce (Dale) Christensen; her sister-in-law, Dorothy Brassfield; her cousin, Charlotte White; her niece, Mardell Vandevanter; her great-nieces, Raquel and Celeste White; her nephew Robert (Pam) Brassfield and many loving nieces and nephews.

Military Monday - Les Parker Bronze Star citation

The following is a transcription of the Bronze Star Medal citation received by Les Parker for actions during World War II. The Bronze Star Medal is the 4th highest individual military award. The "V" device is given solely to denote "participation in acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy."

Les Parker was the brother of my grandfather, Leo Parker.

Sunday's Obituary - Diane Brassfield-Meng

Diane Dawn Brassfield, late 1970s

Toronto - Diane Dawn Brassfield-Meng, age 54, passed away Friday, November 15, 2013 at the Scarborough Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Diane was born at 7:27 AM on April 17, 1959 at McCrary-Rost Hospital in Lake City, Calhoun, Iowa to Elvis and Dorothy Brassfield. She was baptized on June 21, 1959 at Trinity Methodist Church, also in Lake City, by Rev. William H. Green.

She grew up in Lake City, Iowa, moving with her family to the Town of Portland, Dodge County, near Reeseville, Wisconsin in February 1964 and then Jefferson, Wisconsin in February 1972. Diane was confirmed April 29, 1973 at Immanuel United Methodist Church, Jefferson, Wisconsin. She graduated from Jefferson High School in Jefferson in June 1977. After this, she lived in Whitewater, WI, Naperville, IL, Madison, Sun Prairie and Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin where she attended college and held various jobs as an administrative assistant.

Diane was married on September 26, 1998 to Philip E. Meng in New Sharon, Maine where they lived for several years before returning to Jefferson and Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Diane and Philip were divorced in 2010. Diane moved to Toronto, Ontario, Canada to live with her friend Dan around that same time period. After several months of illness, she died at the Scarborough Hospital in Toronto on November 15, 2013.

Diane is survived by her mother and three brothers in Wisconsin, her friends in Toronto, Canada and a number of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Elvis J. Brassfield.

She was cremated and her ashes were interred at Union Cemetery, Jefferson, Wisconsin on May 23, 2014. 

Diane was known online as diane1759 and diane.brassfield.1

  Find a grave memorial

Wordless Wednesday - Les and Leo Parker

Les and Leo Parker

This is a photo from World War II of Les Parker and his brother, my grandfather, Leo Parker. Les was in the US Army Infantry, in Europe. Leo was in the USAAF, Pacific Theater as an engine repairman for B-29 bombers.

Military Monday - Les Parker

Logo of the 90th Infantry Division, "Tough 'Ombres", US Army, World War II

Les Parker (1924-2013) was the brother of my Grandfather, Leo Parker (1923-2013). The following is from the World War II Memorial database:

Activity during WWII
Served with the 90th Division, 359th Infantry, company a in Europe. Recipient of the combat infantryman badge, American theater ribbon, 3 bronze battle stars, European-African-Middle Eastern theater ribbon and the Purple Heart. Awarded the Bronze Star for displaying undaunted courage in the face of the enemy upon crossing the Moselle river near Hunting, France on November 11, 1944. Served in Normandy, Germany, Ardennes, France and the battle of the bulge. On March 14, 1945, he was wounded in action at Morshausen, Germany. Hospitalized at Crile Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio for 15 months and honorably discharged on July, 5, 1946.

Sunday's Obituary - Les Parker

Les Parker, World War II

This is the obituary for my Grandfather Leo Parker's brother, Les Parker.

Leslie "Les" A. Parker
Aug 27, 1924 - Nov 17, 2013

Racine- Leslie Alexander Parker, age 89, passed away at his home early Sunday morning, November 17, 2013. Les was born to Lloyd and Norma (nee: Alexander) Parker on August 27, 1924 in Westfield, Wisconsin. He attended local schools and graduated from Westfield High School in 1942. Les entered the U.S. Army on March 23, 1943, took his training with the 78th Infantry Division, and later joined the Texas / Oklahoma “Tough Hombres” 90th Infantry Division. His combat service took him through Normandy, France, Germany, the Ardennes Forest, Luxemburg, the Battle of the Bulge, Belgium and ended in Morshausen, Germany with injuries. Medals received were the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster; Purple Heart, and various campaign awards. Les was honorably discharged on July 5, 1946 at Springfield, Missouri.

Les married Shirley Mae Muske on June 19, 1954 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Dakota, Wisconsin. The union was blessed with two children, Sheri and Steven. He was employed by the U.S. Postal Service for 33 ½ years and retired in December 1979. Les and Shirley enjoyed traveling – visited forty-nine states, eight European countries and nine Canadian provinces and territories. With a profound Christian faith, they were members of several congregations over the years where Les served as a church elder, usher and financial secretary. In more recent years, they were proud members of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Union Grove. Les and Shirley also delivered “Meals on Wheels” in Janesville and sermon tapes to shut-ins in Sun Prairie.

Les was a member of the Westfield American Legion Post for 26 years; life member of the Disabled American Veterans; life member of the VFW Post 1621 – Janesville; member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees; and member of the 90th Division Association.

Les is survived by his devoted wife, Shirley Parker; children, Steve Parker of Roscoe, IL and Sheri Ellis of Harrisville, W.V.; grandchildren, Kelly and Becky; great-grandchildren, Alyssa and Natalie; nephews, Paul Parker of Westfield, Peter Parker of Beaver Dam, and Phillip Parker of Pardeeville; niece, Pam Brassfield of Johnson Creek; brother-in-law, Jerry (Dona) Muske of Sun Prairie; friends, Fred and Connie Westrich of Franksville; many other dear relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, Les was preceded in death by his brother, Leo Parker, who died in March of this year.

Funeral services will be held at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church (2908 S. Colony Avenue in Union Grove) on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at 1:00 pm with Pastor David Peters officiating. A reception will follow. Visitation will be in the church on Thursday from 12 noon -1 pm. Les will be laid to rest, with military honors, on Friday, November 22, 2013 at 11 am at Eastlawn Cemetery (2200 Milwaukee Rd. in Beloit). Memorials are suggested to the Trinity Ev. Lutheran Church – Union Grove “Gift / Trust Fund”.

Shirley would like to thank Dr. Michael Mullane & his staff; Hospice Alliance; and everyone at Home Harbor for their care and compassion. Special thanks also to Pam, Phillip, Paul, Peter, and Fred & Connie for their love and concern.

Courtesy: http://www.draeger-langendorf.com/obituaries/?obitid=267026

Funeral Card Friday - Les Parker

Front and Back

Inside

This is the funeral card for Leslie Alexander Parker, the brother of my grandfather, Leo Parker.

Celebrating 89 Wonderful Years
Leslie Alexander Parker
"Les"
August 27, 1924 - November 17, 2013

Funeral Service
Thursday, November 21, 2013
One O'clock in the Afternoon
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

Officiant
Rev. David Peters

Interment with Military Honors
Eastlawn Cemetery in Beloit
Friday, November 22, 2013 at 11:00 am

Treasure Chest Thursday - Ira and Lois Wood in the Civil War

This is a scan of an old photograph that belonged to my grandparents. The hand written caption reads:

Ira Wood and wife Lois Firman Wood
In Hospital at Civil War
She cared for him down in Tennessee

Ira and Lois (Firman) Wood were my 3rd great grandparents. They were the parents of Anna Belle Wood, wife of Valois Parker, who were the parents of Lloyd Ira Wood, the father of my grandfather, Leo Parker.

According to Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers, War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865, Ira Wood was drafted November 25, 1863, and he served in the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment, Company F.

Treasure Chest Thursday - For Sale - Westfield Theatre

This is a scan of the classified ad to sell the Westfield Theatre. It was published in The Central Union, Westfield, Wisconsin, March 10, 1955. I'm not sure what the back story on this is, but my grandparents saved the newspaper from this date and this is the only thing that I could find that was related to the family. Leo Parker was my grandfather and Alma (Polsfuss) Schauer was my great grandmother. My great grandfather, Arnold Schauer, died in September 1954 and was a business man in Westfield, so perhaps it's related to his death.

Wordless Wednesday - Leo Parker Attendance Award

 

This is a certificate for perfect attendance given to my grandfather, Leo Parker. I think it's kind of an interesting piece of history.

Sports Center Saturday - Westfield Football 1938

This is a photo of the Westfield, WI High School Football team, 1938. My grandfather Leo Parker was number 51, in the 2nd row from the back, 3rd person from the left.

Wordless Wednesday - Leo Parker Letter Award for Band

This is a Letter Award for Band for my Grandfather, Leo Parker. I'm told he played the Tuba.