Marian Louise Parrish

Marian Louise Parrish (Welcher, Felton), of Lady Lakes, Fla., formerly of Fayette, Mo., passed away peacefully surrounded by family Feb. 8, 2018, at her daughter’s home in The Villages, Fla., at 101 years of age.

Marian was born to Carl and Gladys Welcher July 13, 1916, in Osceola. She had two brothers, Clark and James. Her childhood was also spent in Davis City, Newton, and Prairie City. In her youth, the family went west to Breckenridge, Colo., for several years when her father took a job on a gold dredge boat. Marian would often reminisce of her times in Colorado panning for gold. Gladys was a school teacher and Marian was always proud that her mother was one of the first females to graduate from college at Drake University.

On Sept. 5, 1931, she married Troy Felton and they had four children, Connie, Richard, Carol and Dellois. They resided in Newton, Waterloo and Tama. They started Star Building Products while in Waterloo, and later moved the business to Tama. When Troy was unable to work due to ailing health, Marian was able to support the family by securing a position at Maytag Manufacturing in Newton. She was very proud of her job as inspector and won numerous awards for improving the wash machine line. They were blessed to enjoy 28 years of marriage and family life until his passing Jan. 21, 1960.

Marian then met and married Linville Parrish July 7, 1963. Following their marriage, Marian studied hard, at the age of 47, to get her GED and then became certified as a lab technician. She enjoyed working at Putman County Hospital for many years thereafter. They enjoyed life in Unionville, Mo., where they owned a cattle farm and developed land in town. After retirement, they spent time with family at their lake house in Kimberling City, Mo., which brought a lot of joy to Marian. They enjoyed 37 years together until his passing July 9, 2000.

Following the death of Linville, Marian resided in Des Moines and enjoyed attending church at Pleasant Hill Church of Christ. The congregations of her churches were like family to Marian. Marian also lived in Fayette, Mo. and most recently, The Villages, Fla. Connie, Carol and Della each spent time caring for and loving their mother.

Marian had many gifts. She was known for her pie crust and beautiful pies, her infamous sweet lime pickles, her ability to create fine needlework, and was an excellent seamstress making wedding gowns, dresses, quilts and draperies. Talents all performed with incredibly deft hands. She especially loved birds and raised highly sought after canaries for many years. The warbling canaries’ song left a lasting impression and fond memories for her children. Growing African Violets was a passion for her and her home was full of gorgeous prize winning plants, many nestled in the basement under customized lighting. Despite hard work, her hands always looked beautiful and embodied femininity with frosty nail polish and her lovely rings.

Marian enjoyed her family immensely. For many years she had large family gatherings in her home and prepared wonderful meals on a formally set table. The family always looked forward to walking into her home; the comforting smells, welcoming décor, giggles and puzzles that took place between her walls will forever be cherished.

One story goes that when Marian was a young girl and attending a parade in Newton, she tossed a bouquet to Fred Maytag. He said if that young lady would contact him after she got married, he would give her a brand new Maytag washer. She did remind him years later, and he followed through with his promise! Another often told story noted that as a young girl Marian fell in a well and developed severe pneumonia, requiring the doctor to come to the family home and perform surgery to drain her lung right there on the kitchen table.

Marian’s physical and mental strength combined with her discipline and undying determination made for a long successful life. She was adamant about taking her vitamins and exercised daily and was on only one or two medications her entire life. She had a zest and joy for life and was still joking and teasing up until a few days before her death which was indicative of her great attitude.

Throughout Marian’s life, her obedience as a Christian woman was most important to her. She was baptized Jan. 27, 1929, at 12 years of age in Marshalltown. In later years, she was a member of the Church of Christ in Newton, Pleasant Hill and Unionville, Mo. She enjoyed dressing up for church and she always wore beautiful dresses, many times handmade, with stylish matching hats from her collection which were often accompanied with matching gloves. Although she was known for her glamorous hats, her bible was her hallmark. With advancing age her expectation to attend church on Sundays and bible study on Wednesday nights did not waiver. Her door was always open to others whether it be coffee, a meal, or lodging. Her faith in her Savior Jesus Christ was, and will remain, an inspiration to all of her descendants. Through her example, we strive to be as Godly as she, and carry on her legacy of love and forgiveness. While we grieve her loss, we are thankful for the many years God gave her to us, and find great comfort knowing she is with her Heavenly Father.

Marian will be sadly missed by her children, Connie Meinke (Lou), Fayette, Mo., Carol (Jim) McGowan, Rockford, Ill., and Dellois Camp, The Villages, Fla.; her brother, James (Betty) Welcher, Las Vegas, Nev.; daughter-in-law, Joan Felton of Alamo, Texas; step-daughter; Donna (Basil) Barkley of Johnson City, Tenn.; grandchildren, David (Pam) Reece of Albany, Mo., Mike (Lisa) Reece of Cooper, Texas, LuAnn (Steve) Gage of Stanberry, Mo., Lori (Henry) Ward of Kansas City, Mo., Todd (Kim) Reece of Cameron, Mo., Tracey Larrison of Des Moines, Darwin (Kris) Larrison of Clive, Amy (John) Miles of Urbandale, Trent (Sharon) Camp of Earleville, Md., Camille (Kipp) Madison of Pittsburgh, Pa., Rodney (Cynthia) Felton of Nokomis, Fla., Scott (Kathleen) Felton of Fairfax, Kelly (Martin) Ross of Cedar Rapids, Debbie (Andy) Vaughn of Chillicothe, Mo., DeAnna Weaver of Unionville, Mo.; 38 great-grandchildren; 41 great-great-grandchildren; three great-great-great-grandchildren; numerous nephews, nieces and other extended family.

Marian is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Troy Felton; husband, Linville Parrish; brother, Clark Welcher; and sister-in-law, Betty; son, Richard Felton; granddaughter, Terry Felton; son-in-law, Marvin Camp; as well as her dear lifelong friend, Audrey Brady, who died at 99 years of age.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 16 with a funeral service at 11 a.m. at Wallace Funeral Home, 1115 E. 19th St. N. in Newton. A graveside service will immediately follow at Newton Memorial Cemetery, followed by a luncheon at Pleasant Hill Church of Christ, 5091 E. University in Pleasant Hill.