Esther Parmley

ESTHER O. PARMLEYEsther O. Parmley, 97, passed away peacefully early Sunday morning at Salem Home in Elk Horn.She was born on January 7, 1911, in Hamlin, Iowa, the fifth child of Erick and Christina Rattenborg Olsen. She was educated in the two-room school house in Hamlin and was baptized and confirmed in the Danish Lutheran Church there.As a young woman, Esther sought employment in Atlantic, where she met her future husband, Glenn R. Parmley. They were married at the Methodist parsonage in Atlantic on January 29, 1931. The couple resided at 309 Locust in Atlantic, where they raised three children, Phyllis, Janet, and Ron.For many years, they owned and operated Parmley Plumbing and Heating Service. Both Esther and Glenn were active in the United Methodist Church in Atlantic and were also dedicated members of the Odd Fellows and Rebekah Lodges.During their children"s school years, they attended countless band concerts and choral performances and were avid fans of the Atlantic High School football and basketball teams.Esther was very proud of the Danish heritage and farm background, and this was evidenced by the large vegetable and flower gardens they maintained. In the summer months, their yard was abloom with irises, peonies, tulips and moss roses, and as the garden yielded its bounty, Esther spent many hours canning tomatoes, corn and other vegetables. She also had a deft hand with pastry and was well known for her many varieties of delicious pies and cinnamon rolls. Esther was also very fond of playing cards, and as any member of the family will tell you, she played to win – and most often did!After the death of her husband in 1975, Esther, with the help of a good friend, took on jobs of wallpapering the homes of family, friends and other clients. She was almost 80 before she reluctantly climbed down from her ladder.In her later years, Esther, her daughter, Phyllis, and a dear friend, Willis Dean, were regular patrons of bingo sessions all over Southwest Iowa. Her son-in-law always marveled at her ability to keep track of more than a dozen cards and still be able to tell someone near her that they had missed a certain number.In 2003, after a paralytic stroke, Esther became a resident of Salem Home in Elk Horn. Although confined to a wheelchair, she nevertheless enjoyed participating in bingo games and other activities at the home. The loving, dedicated care she received at Salem Home is something for which her family will always be very grateful.At age 97, Esther was truly the last of both her husband"s and her generation. She was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn; a daughter, Phyllis Parmley Andersen; a baby sister; six other sisters and brothers and their spouses; nine sisters and brothers-in-law and their spouses; several nieces and nephews; and by a special family friend, Willis Dean. Survivors include her son, Ron Parmley and his wife, Harriet, of Surprise, AZ; daughter Janet Dryer and her husband, David, of Highlands Ranch, CO; eight grandchildren and their spouses; twenty great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.Funeral InformationServices for Esther will be held at Rolands at 1:30 P.M. Wednesday, April 2, with burial to follow in the Atlantic Cemetery. Pastor Steven Frock, Hospice minister at Salem Lutheran Home, will officiate. There will be open visitation for guests to sign the register book until funeral time.IN LOVING MEMORY Esther O. ParmleyBorn January 7, 1911ENTERED INTO RESTSunday, March 30, 2008At the age of 97 years, 2 months and 23 days SERVICEWednesday, April 2, 2008 at 1:30 PMRoland Funeral Home ~ Atlantic, IAOFFICIATINGPastor Steven FrockMUSICAL SELECTIONS"Whispering Hope&""In the Garden&"CASKET BEARERS Dick Wright Dane Andersen Dave Dryer Russ Burgman Pastor Steven Frock FLOWER COMMITTEEPam WrightINTERMENTAtlantic Cemetery ~ Atlantic, Iowa Roland Funeral Home is caring for Esther"s family and the arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.