Larry Parks

Larry Gene Parks, 69, of Le Grand, passed away on Friday, December 14, 2018 at the Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown, with his family by his side.   Larry fought a courageous battle with cancer and left a legacy for his family to live by; work hard, be honest, help those in need and take one day at a time giving thanks to God for His many blessings.   Memorial services for Larry will be held on Wednesday, December 19th, at 10:30 a.m. at the Le Grand Friends Church with Pastor Alan Mullikin officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 18th, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Memorials may be directed to the Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com . Ph. 641-844-1234.   Born on January 8th, 1949, in Marshalltown, Iowa, he was the son of Fuhrman and Lois (Hartwell) Parks. He graduated from the LDF High School and later attended Marshalltown Community College and Iowa State University.   On July 5th, 1969, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Lavonne Vandeventer. To this union, two wonderful children were born; son, Shannon, on September 14th, 1971, and daughter, Heather, on October 7th, 1972.   Larry owned and operated his own construction company doing remodeling of homes and other buildings including barns and churches. He worked part-time helping his father, Fuhrman, at the family business Parks Gas Company. After Fuhrman’s passing, Larry purchased the business. In the midst of celebrating 50 years as a family owned company (an honor and rarity in today’s world), he was diagnosed with cancer. He then sold the business to son, Shannon, who carries on the family name and dedicated service to customers in the community.   He enjoyed bass fishing with the local club, riding horses, and breeding and showing miniature horses. His joys in life were his beautiful family, children, grandchildren, and the woman he loved and treated like a queen-Lavonne.   Left to cherish his memory are Lavonne, his loving wife of 49 years, his son Shannon (Darcy) Parks of Marshalltown and his daughter Heather (Jeff) Oelklaus of Colorado Springs, CO; three grandchildren-Jacob Parks of St. Paul, MN, Olivia Parks of Marshalltown, and Cyan Oelklaus of Colorado Springs, sister Lori (Nick) Wilson of Marshalltown and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.   In death, Larry joins his parents, brother Harold, and sister Linda.