Linda Parks

Dates

Obituary

Linda Parks, 75, of Mitchell, SD, passed away peacefully at her home with family by her side Monday, November 21, 2022. A celebration of her life will be held Tuesday, December 27 at 1:00 PM, at the Mitchell Assembly of God Church. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

A live stream of the funeral service can be viewed at: https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.lifeinmitchell.org_listen.html&d=DwIFAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=Lpyq2wd1OiUqKcMS_spxz7rv0Ytz9OzNxBJWK2lc2g2_XfnEnXkOyw06oKqwQe-v&m=U7GyPd2OjA5S_7biaOf-WHfNFeW66leQJVwnMtAyDBs&s=TFbyLUmtF4-wXhGDnyT_2lKay_EizqJ3VRTIjccK59Y&e=

Linda (Critser) Parks was born on December 19, 1946 in Mount Lebanon, PA, to William and Lois (Smith) Critser. The family moved to Lemmon, SD when Linda was a child and ended up settling in Huron, SD. She graduated from Huron High School and then continued her education at Augustana College and South Dakota State University where she earned a degree in Textile and Clothing. In high school Linda met Ron Parks as a camper at the Lake Poinsett United Methodist Church camp. It wasn’t until she returned later as camp staff that she discovered Ron was not only her best friend but the love of her life. Ron and Linda were married on October 5, 1968. They welcomed their first child, William M “Bill” Parks on July 25, 1969. Ron and Linda lived in DeSmet, SD at this time where Ron taught and coached at the high school. On December 18, 1970, they welcomed their second child, Michele L Parks, into the family. They moved to Mitchell, SD in 1972 when Ron took a coaching and teaching position at Dakota Wesleyan University.  Linda went back to school and completed a music education degree from DWU.  Linda loved music and theater. She taught elementary music at all four elementary schools in Mitchell and was involved in many musical and theater productions. Her love of music and worship would become a focus in her life as she and Ron started Word of Life Christian Ministries in 1982. Throughout her life, Linda devoted herself to helping and praying for others. She loved studying scripture, her travels to Israel and sharing the love of Jesus with others! Her grandchildren remember her as always being there to cheer them on, laugh and play with them, and help teach them. Linda and Ron built a foundation for their family that continues to grow through new generations.

Linda is survived by her husband, Ron Parks; her children: William (Tammy) Parks of Mitchell and Michele (Aaron) Cork of Sioux Falls; grandchildren: Zachary (Bethany) Parks, Dubuque, IA, Natalie Parks, Olympia, WA, Tim (Makenzie) Parks, Lincoln NE, Emily Parks and Nicholas Parks, Sioux Falls, Abigail Parks, Mitchell, Dawson Cork, Brady Cork, and Sydney Cork of Sioux Falls; great-grandchildren, Jonathon and Avonlea Parks, Dubuque, IA; and a sister Colleen (Paul) Gryte, Ames, IA. 

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, brother William Critser Jr, and sisters Nancy Johnson, and Susan Street.

Service