Lester "Dick" Parker

Lester “Dick” R. Parker, 99, of Des Moines passed away peacefully at home following a long, well-lived life on August 3rd, 2024.

Dick was born May 26th, 1925 in Murray, Iowa. He grew up in a large family before enlisting in the Army in 1944. He married his teenage sweetheart Marjorie “Christine” Stephenson before heading off to serve on the front lines in Europe during WWII. While oversees in 1945, his first daughter Deanna was born. He returned from Europe in 1946 and received medals for Good Conduct and for serving in an overseas conflict. While Dick rarely spoke about his time in the service, his family is eternally grateful and proud of his service to this country.

Upon returning home, he enjoyed a 32-year career with the Super Value Grocery Warehouse. He was blessed by the birth of his second daughter Trudy Rae Gordon in 1947 and his son Randy Richard Parker in 1952. He settled with Chris and the kids in east Des Moines. Tragedy struck when his young daughter Deanna passed away following an accident in 1955. He was a long-time member of Hope Lutheran Church. He enjoyed playing golf, shooting pool, playing cards, gardening, camping, traveling, and spending time with family. He was known for his skills on the dance floor, enjoying many dances with both of his wives at several infamous ballrooms across Iowa.

After over 54 years of marriage, his wife Chris passed away in 1998. In 2001 he met and married second wife, Bertha Frakes. He enjoyed dancing, traveling, and spending time with her in their golden years.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, his 6 siblings, both wives, both of his daughters, his grandson Terrence Gordon, and many other friends and family.

The memory of Dick will forever be cherished by his son Randy Parker, granddaughters Jennifer (Ray) Schafer, Lindsey (Seth) Pace and Lacee Gordon, grandsons Jared (Mallory) Parker, Clint Wilson, and Grant (Ashley) Parker, as well as several great-grandchildren and bonus children and grandchildren of his second wife Bertha.

Dick’s family would like to extend tremendous appreciation to the staff of Trinity Center at Luther Park and Hospice of the Midwest for the care provided to Dick over last past few months. Also, they would like to thank Bertha’s children Tim, Tom and Bea for the love, compassion and care they showed for Dick in his later years.

His memorial service will be held on Friday, August 16th at 10:00 a.m., with a brief visitation period immediately prior at 9:30am. Services will be held at Hope Lutheran Church, located at 3857 E. 42nd St. in Des Moines. A private burial will be held at a later time.

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