A leader in establishing Porter County family mental health facilities,
Edith H. Parsons, of Valparaiso, passed away Saturday, Sept. 2, 2006 at the
VNA Horton Hospice Center. She was 94.
She was born Dec. 16, 1911, in Renville, Minn. the only child of Nathaniel
J. Holmberg and Hilda Maria (Peterson) Holmberg.
On May 28, 1937 in Chicago, she married John W. Parsons, who preceded her in
death in 1986.
She is survived by sons, J. Thomas (Sally) Parsons of Verona, Va.; Charles
N. (Karen) Parsons of Chesterton and Rowland L. (Candace) Parsons of
Indianapolis; seven gr andchildren, Scott (Melody) Parsons of Staunton, Va.,
Rebecca (Brian) Haberman of Sykesville, Md., Krista (Kris) Drobek and Karlyn
(Ian) Wagner, both of Streamboat Springs, Colo., Katey Parsons, of St.
Louis, Mo., Justin D. Parsons and Greta L. Parsons, both of New York City;
six great-grandchildren and her special caregiver, Regina.
Edith grew up in St. Paul, Minn. and graduated from the University of
Minnesota with a bachelor’s degree in music and a maser’s degree in medical
social work. She moved to Chicago in 1934 where she began her career in
social work. Born of hardy Swedish stock, Edith carried her pioneer spirit
wherever she went, including many years on the family farm in Valparaiso and
later as a long-time resident of Chesterton. Her last five years were spent
at Pines Village Retirement Communities, where she enjoyed many friends.
She was a leader in establishing Porter County family mental health
facilities, as both an active family counselor and as co-founder of the
Porter County Guidance Clinic, later to become Porter-Starke Services. Along
with her husband John, she was an accomplished musician and was an active
volunteer in the community, including, in later years, with the Literacy
Volunteers in Porter County.
A memorial service and visitation with the family is planned at Moeller
Funeral Home, 104 Roosevelt Rd., Valparaiso from 2-6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22.
Memorial contributions may be made to VNA Hospice Center, 501 Marquette St.,
Valparaiso, IN 46383
www.moellerfuneralhome.com
Posted 9/12/2006
