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Obituaries » Elizabeth Parr

Elizabeth Parr

November 30, 1942 - February 22, 2022

Service Date: March 12, 2022

Funeral Home Memorial Services of Iowa

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Elizabeth “Liz” Parr, 79, passed away February 22, 2022 at MercyOne Hospice in Johnston, Iowa.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd.)

Liz was born on November 30, 1942 to Raymond and Betty Karl in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. She had a very happy childhood creating all kinds of memories, funny stories, and shenanigans with her six brothers and sisters. There were many fun and entertaining stories that she relayed often of her time living in Lacrosse.  Later in her youth her family moved to Port Huron, Michigan where she graduated high school from Port Huron Catholic High School in 1960.  The next year her family moved to Marshalltown, Iowa where she met the love of her life, Steve Parr, at Hunter’s Café on North Center Street.  Liz graduated from Marshalltown Community College in 1962 with an AA Degree.

Liz and Steve were united in marriage on May 1, 1965 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marshalltown. Soon after, they became the parents of Jenny and Dave Parr.  She worked for Boss Van Lines, Welcome Wagon, she sold Avon, and was a stay at home mother.  As her kids were getting a little older, Liz decided to go to work full time as a secretary for the Marshalltown Area Catholic Schools.  She worked there for 14 years meeting and developing relationships with many of Marshalltown’s youth.  She left MACS in 1989 to work in administration for the Iowa Department of Transportation in Ames, where she eventually retired from in 2004.

In August 1992 Steve got a promotion with his job and they moved to Boone, Iowa where they resided for the next 20 years.  After her children were grown, Liz made the decision to better herself through education by enrolling at Iowa State University.  She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in May 1997. She was a very proud non-traditional student, even having some classes with some of Dave’s friends.  She has always felt the benefits of lifelong learning, often enrolling in graduate level classes throughout her later life and enrolling in the culinary program at DMACC.  Her belief in advanced education inspired her to create college savings accounts for her grandchildren.  “What is a Legacy? A legacy is planting seeds in a garden that you never get to see.”  Long after retirement Liz and Steve moved to Ankeny, IA, spending their 47th wedding anniversary moving in to their new home.

Liz was an avid gardener.  She had a large garden when she lived in Marshalltown growing anything and everything that she could.  She loved growing flowers the most, having plots at her Boone home and her Ankeny home.  Liz was a very gifted crafter. She was always seen doing something with her hands and had no less than five projects going at any given time. From needle point, to crocheting, to creating pieces to sell in the Marshalltown Mall, she was always busy doing something.  Although she thought differently, she was a very good cook.  She created cook books for her kids of all of the family recipes that she made over the years.   Liz had a very kind heart for others as she often volunteered her time for Goodwill Industries of Central Iowa at the Boone retail store, for Iowa Public Radio/Television, and anything her kids were involved with including little league and Boy and Girl Scouts. She was an animal lover and often had pets that she cared for her whole life.

Liz’s final wishes were to be cremated and to not have a formal ceremony. Left to grieve her loss are her loving husband of 57 years, Steve; children, Jenny Parr of Lawrence, KS, and Dave (Shelbe) Parr of Ankeny, IA; siblings, Amy Mills, Pete (Jeanette) Karl, Andrew (Cynthia) Karl, Matt (Todd Starich) Karl, and Mary (Marical) Cervantes; six grandchildren, Rashidi Simba, Mariam Simba, Ibrahim Simba, Daudi Simba, Sam Parr, and Matt Parr; and numerous nieces and nephews.  She also leaves behind her special “granddogger” Lucy, whom she loved very much.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Kathy.  When she crossed the rainbow bridge she probably created quite the commotion by being greeted by Trigger, Buttercup, Muffin, Marah, Charles, Dianna, Paul, Linda, Farzie, and Sassy.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her memory to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa or to Friends of Iowa Public Radio/Television, both charities were dear to her heart.

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