Joan Parkes, 86

     Joan Parkes, 86, of Waverly, Iowa, died on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at her residence in Waverly.

     Joan LaVay was born on June 9, 1938, in Waverly, the daughter of Ervin and Margaret (Groninga) Schrage. She was born a tiny thing at four pounds, hence how she got the nickname “Tink Tink” from her father. She was baptized into the Lutheran faith on July 1, 1938, and confirmed in 1952, both at St. James Lutheran Church in Allison. Joan attended a one room schoolhouse called Jackson #7 until the eighth grade and graduated from Allison-Bristow High School in 1956. While in school, Joan was very active in all musical events. She was an excellent trumpet player, participating in both marching band and pep band. She also sang in the Glee club, was involved in a Sextet group, and was in the Class play. One of Joan's fondest memories was coming home from school to the aroma of fresh baked bread made by her mother. Following her education, she worked at Bartels Lutheran Home from 1956 until 1961. On November 15, 1959, she met Edward Parkes at a dance at the Rivera Roose Ball Room in Janesville. She was united in marriage to Edward on June 11, 1961, at St. James Lutheran Church in Allison. Shortly after marriage, Joan was a homemaker, devoting time to her husband and four children.

         She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waverly. Joan had many hobbies including dancing, cooking, playing cards and dice, and visiting with family and friends. Joan also loved to sing with her brother, Darwin, at the Funnybone Follies in Farm Bureau. Above all, she cherished the time spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

      Survivors are her four children, Julie Berger of Waterloo, Terri Hartzell, Lori (David) Shepherd and Troy Parkes all of Waverly; 8 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren; and two brothers, Darwin Schrage of West Union and Randy (Tina McCready) Schrage of Allison. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Edward on March 30, 2023; an infant sister; a brother, Gerald Schrage; and a sister-in-law, Barb Schrage.

      Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 10:30 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and School in Waverly with Pastor Patricia Shaw presiding. The service will be livestreamed at https://youtube.com/live/DwW0-NapyvM. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at the Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly. Memorials may be directed to the family for a later designation and online condolences sent to www.kaisercorson.com.

      Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home of Waverly is assisting the Parkes family. 319-352-1187