Lynn Harris Parke

Lynn H. Parke, 83, died on November 4, 2017 at home. Lynn was born on February 4, 1934, to Charles Harris and Gwendolyn Jenkins Parke in St. Anthony Idaho. When Lynn was nine his father was killed in a tragic car accident. After his father's death, Gwen moved the family to Pocatello where she would have family assistance while she worked to support herself and children. Lynn moved back to St Anthony to live with his grandparents Bill and Emily Hill. Later his mother Gwen met and married Leslie C. Wilson who became a beloved father and grandfather to all.

Lynn attended schools in St. Anthony and graduated from South Fremont High School. Shortly after graduation, Lynn and three close friends enlisted in the army. They ended up in Germany where Lynn exhibited his downhill skiing skills in the German Alps and enjoyed local cuisine.
Returning to Idaho, Lynn married Madge Marie Dopp in St Anthony. He attended ISC in Pocatello, worked full-time and became a father when Julie was born. The young family moved to Nebraska and Colorado returning to Idaho in 1965. They lived in Boise where Heather was born.

Lynn learned building skills from his grandfather while building houses in Fremont County, including one at the fish hatchery northeast of Ashton. He worked in food wholesale, tax preparation and finally found his dream career with the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation beginning in 1972 where he held a variety of positions. He enjoyed supporting the Idaho agriculture community and traveling the state to meet others in the industry. In 1985 he switched gears and began working for Farm Bureau Insurance, eventually leading the Crop Hail Program. He went to North Carolina to assist with claims after Hurricane Floyd.

Lynn shared his love of skiing, water skiing, and animals with his family. Photographs he took cover the walls of his home and filled many albums. One photo of Mesa Falls was used for many years on the call letters ad for a local television station. He enjoyed fishing, golfing and boating. He shared many anecdotes of his dogs, cats and horses.

Throughout his life Lynn maintained good friendships with his classmates, friends and colleagues. He loved family and friends and always treated all around him with honesty and respect. He was well-known for his outstanding memory, in-depth knowledge and vivid stories.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a son. He is survived by his daughters Julie of Boise, Heather and son-in-law Keith Speegle and two beloved grand-children, Hayden and Nicholes Speegle of Pocatello; his sisters Marla Simmons (Larry-deceased), Linda Bringhurst (Gary) and brother William Parke (Barbi); sister-in-law Mary Lee Dopp, brother-in-law J (Judy) Dopp.

Memorial donations may be made in Lynn's name to either the Idaho Youth Ranch or Idaho Public Television.

The family would like to express their love and thanks to Brandie, Desire, David and all of the staff at Encompass Hospice who cared so lovingly for Lynn over the past ten months.

A life celebration open house will be held at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W Chubbuck Rd, Chubbuck ID at 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM on Monday, November 13. At 12:30 PM the family hopes that some of Lynn's friends and colleagues will be willing to share their favorite memories. Condolences may be sent to the family online at wilksfuneralhome.com.