Harold Parkin

Harold L. Parkin, of Mandan, ND, passed away peacefully on Dec. 4, 2016, at the Edgewood Vista surrounded by family. A memorial service will be held at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, on Saturday, December 10, at 1:30 pm. Burial will be at the Woodlawn Cemetery, Steele, ND, with full military honors, at a later date. Harold (Parky) was born on Sep. 4, 1927, in Bismarck to Paul and Viola (Crouse) Parkin of Steele. He attended school in Steele and graduated from Galena High School in Galena, IL, in 1944. He served 6 years in the US Army including Korea and Alaska. He transferred to the US Army Retired Reserve after 25 years of Army Reserve and National Guard duty. He married Lila K. Thorp of Steele at Fort Riley, KS, on Nov. 8, 1950. He worked as a commercial pilot and aviation mechanic in Bismarck and Fargo. Harold and Lila moved to Devils Lake where they owned and operated Lake Region Aviation for many years. They retired to Mandan in 1994. His wife Lila died in 1997. On May 6, 2000, he married LaVerne (Lien/Gertz) in Mandan. For Parky, “the glass was half full” and he believed that we can fill the rest. Parky was full of activity; always something new to learn or how to help others, and he thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his grandsons. Parky was an active Amateur Radio operator and Severe Weather spotter. He enjoyed doing research about his ancestry and North Dakota history. Parky and LaVerne shared many escapades camping, boating, fishing, and hunting. He is survived by his wife, LaVerne, Mandan; son and daughter-in-law, H. Scott and Rebecca, Bismarck; grandsons, Andrew and Ryan, Bozeman, MT, and Shawn, Arvada, CO; his brother Robert (Mary Ann), Vancouver, WA; LaVerne’s daughter Jeanette (Darwin) Kungel, Fredonia, ND, and son David (LouAyne) Gertz, Mandan; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lila, and his parents. Harold was baptized at Hope Lutheran Church, Fargo, and was an active member of the American Lutheran Church in Mandan. Harold has said his two best friends walked a different road in life, and he sincerely hoped he would, too. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to American Lutheran Church, 1101 10th St. SE, Mandan, ND, 58554, or a charity of the donor’s choice.