Friday, June 13, 2025
55.0°F

LaVerne Parkinson

| June 5, 2025 3:45 PM

LaVerne Ellen Harris arrived into this world Feb. 11, 1942. She was born to Lee and Verna Harris in Thomas, Idaho. She blessed the family as their second daughter, just behind her older sister Dixie. She was later made an older sister to her brother Ricky.

She attended school in Springfield and graduated from Aberdeen High School in May of 1960.

She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She held many callings throughout her life in all auxiliaries of the church. She had a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and was one of his most spirited disciples.

LaVerne married James Melvin Parkinson on Nov. 4, 1960. In their 61 years of marriage, Jim and LaVerne were blessed with five beautiful children, 19 perfect grandchildren (as Grandma would always say), and 31 even more perfect great-grandchildren.

LaVerne and Jim lived in Moses Lake, Wash., for 28 years where they raised their family and made many lifelong friends. In 1994 they returned to Idaho to be closer to family. Their home was a gathering place for all, where everyone felt loved. It was a place where grandchildren created many cherished memories.

LaVerne was the personification of sunshine. She brightened up every room she walked into and every heart she touched. She was the most accepting, caring, generous woman. Her family meant more to her than anything else and she consistently made efforts to be close with each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. LaVerne is leaving behind a legacy of light and joy. A legacy of kindness and gentleness. A legacy of love that is so immensely felt by those who surrounded her.

As we say goodbye to our dear mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend, we are heartbroken to see her go, but incredibly grateful we’ll see her again! Until then, LaVerne will be busy guiding and protecting her beautiful family from the other side.

She is survived by her family: Ray (Wendy) Parkinson, Troy (Tammy) Parkinson, Becky Clements, Brian (Lorie) Parkinson and Traci (Ryan) Wahlen; 19 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, James Melvin Parkinson, her parents, Lee and Verna Harris, her sister, Dixie Huber and her granddaughter, Kelli Rae Parkinson.

Our family feels a tremendous and deep amount of gratitude for everyone at Lincoln Court Senior Living who treated LaVerne like their own family.

LaVerne’s service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, June 5, 2025, at the Hawker Funeral Home, 132 S. Shilling Ave., Blackfoot, Idaho. The family will meet with friends Wednesday evening at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. and again Thursday for one hour prior to services. Interment will be in the Riverside-Thomas Cemetery.