Bonita Parker

Bonita Ruth Redhead was born October 2, 1934, on the family farm near Dolliver, Iowa, the first child of Merlin and Bonnie (Watrous) Redhead. The family soon grew with two more daughters, Betty and Barbara. Bonita was baptized into the Methodist church where she attended with her family. She began elementary schooling in the rural one-room school that was later consolidated into the Armstrong, Iowa, school district. She graduated from Armstrong High School in 1952, with honors, and then enrolled at Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa, graduating in 1954, again with honors.

After receiving her Associate in Commerce degree from Waldorf, she accepted a position at St. Olaf College where they had come to value the services of persons trained under the watchful eye of Ingeborg Coltvet of Waldorf’s commercial department. This training served her well in her new work with Registrar, Inez Frayseth. While employed in the Registrar’s Office, Bonita met her future spouse, Donovan Parker, and upon their marriage on October 13, 1956, she transferred to a position as secretary and assistant to David E. Johnson, Vice President of College Relations and Development, later, Senior Vice President. She worked steadfastly and with extreme loyalty and confidentiality for Mr. Johnson until his death. Her total service to St. Olaf College spanned 43 years, retiring in 1997.

After her marriage, Bonita was confirmed in the Lutheran faith and she and her spouse joined the congregation at St. John’s. In their retirement, the Parkers found a second home church in Arizona for the winter months. Mount of Olives Lutheran Church in Phoenix became a very important part of their Phoenix lives with its gracious love and support, especially in times of failing health.

While living outside Northfield in a set of farm buildings they bought soon after their marriage, the Parkers opened a part-time antiques business which they named Three Acres Antiques. Several years later they purchased the 1876 fire hall from the City of Northfield, restored it, and opened a full-time antiques business with a hired manager. After 25 years in the down-town location, they closed Three Acers, gave the building to the Waldorf College Endowment Fund, and were truly retired.

In addition to her 43 years devotion to St. Olaf, Bonita and Donovan were members and supporters of the Northfield Arts Guild, Northfield Historical Society, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Waldorf Alumni Association.

Bonita was preceded in death by her husband, Donovan; her parents, grandparents, one brother-in-law, several aunts, uncles, and cousins. She is survived by sisters: Betty and husband Leon Nelson of Armstrong, Iowa, Barbara Klee of Cedar Falls, Iowa; nephews: Terry (Gail) Nelson of Estherville, Iowa, Brent Nelson of Armstrong, Iowa; nieces: Revae (Mark) Gabriel of Tama, Iowa, Debra (Gerry) Gilbertson of Hutchinson, Ronda Thompson of Cedar Raids, Iowa; grandnephews: Brad Nelson and Tom Gabriel; grand nieces: Katie and Trisha Nelson, Krisse and Jessie Gabriel, Crystal and Cassie Roforth, Brianna Thompson. Also surviving is Aunt Lu, several cousins, her sisters-in-law: Dixie (Marlyn) Engler of Bemidji, and Dorothy (Ronald) Lien of Westbrook, and their four children and six grandchildren.

Bonita passed away Friday evening, October 12, 2007 at United Hospital in St. Paul at the age of 73.

Services will be 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield with Revs. Steve Swanson & John Qaum officiating. Music will be provided by the trio of Myrna Johnson, Ruth Legvold and Leslie Lykens. Organist will be Donna Paulsen. Honorary casket bearers will be Bruce Moe, Wil Brosz, Noel Stratmoen, Lois Stratmoen, Don Sahling, Jim Enestvedt, Hal Gargrave and Nathan Knutson. Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service.

Interment will be next to Donovan, his parents and grandparents, in the Parker family plot at Westbrook Cemetery in Westbrook, Minnesota.

Memorials are suggested to Waldorf, St. John’s, St. Olaf, Mount of Olives Lutheran Church in Phoenix or Northfield Arts Guild.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.