Ida Jean Parks, 88
Ida Jean Parks (Carpenter), 88, passed away peacefully May 2, 2024, with her family by her side. She was born May 28, 1935, in Spring Lake, Mich., to Charles and Bertha Carpenter. She grew up in Athol and attended a one-room schoolhouse, and later, she met her lifelong friend, Jeanette (Vanderbilt) Miller, at Spirit Lake School.
She married Robert “Bob” Duane Parks in 1953. They had four children: Karen, Bob, Lori and Val. They lived in Post Falls, then moved to Dalton Gardens in 1962, where the children were raised. She eventually sold the Dalton Gardens home and moved to Oak Crest, where she made many great friends. While raising four children, Ida had numerous jobs, including being an Avon lady at Pinewood Nursing Home, Clare-Pendar and Alpha Medical Lab. Her last job before her retirement was working for Dr. Charles McGee as his office manager, which she absolutely loved!
Her greatest joy in life was spending precious time with her family and friends. She spent countless hours sewing her children’s clothing, prom dresses, wedding dresses, quilts, flannel pajamas and “happy pants” for her kids and grandkids! She enjoyed fishing, camping, canning and playing cards with her family and friends. She was known for her raspberry jam, pickled beets and jalapeno jelly. She was a member of the Eagles Lodge and belonged to the 55+ group for several years, where she made many wonderful friends.
Ida is lovingly remembered by her family. Her twin brothers, Jim and John Carpenter (Teresa Abernathy); sister-in-law Fay Carpenter; daughter Karen (Doug) Gonser; granddaughter Kaycie (Jeff) Thurman; great-grandsons Burke and Bridger; granddaughter Kelli (Marc) McCall; great-granddaughter Abbi, and great-grandson Alex; daughter-in-law Marianne Parks; granddaughter Erin Parks; great-grandson Tyler Parks (Taytem); great-great-granddaughter Rylan Parks; great-grandson Ethan Nunley (Alicia); granddaughter Katie (Pete) Martinson; great-granddaughter Mattie; great-grandson Jake; daughter Lori (Doug) Evenson; grandsons Kyle Evenson and Brandon (Hailee) Herr; great-granddaughters Bee and Bucklee; grandsons Jace (Savahnnah) Evenson, Ben Evenson; daughter Val Gittel; granddaughter Lacy (Gittel) McCormick; great-grandsons Ryder, Clay and Tanner; and great-granddaughter Peach; and grandson Nick Gittel. Ida was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Bertha Carpenter; brothers Charles and Richard Carpenter; the children’s father, son Bob Parks; and grandson Robert Lee Parks. Also, her dearest, lifelong friend, Jeanette (Vanderbilt) Miller.
The service for Ida will be Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Yates Funeral Home, 373 E. Hayden Ave., Hayden, Idaho — a celebration of life to follow. Please visit Ida’s online guestbook and share a memory at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.
Parks