Obituary of Mary Ellen Parsons

Mary Ellen Parsons, 101, the daughter of Earl B. and Esther W. (Braley) Tough, was born May 8, 1923, in rural Kellogg, Iowa.  She was a graduate of the Kellogg Senior High, Class of 1941. 

    Memorial Funeral services for Mary will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 27, 2024, at the Pleasant View Methodist Church, rural Kellogg.  The Pence~Reese Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Newton, is in charge of the arrangements.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to the Pleasant View Methodist Church, rural Kellogg, the Kellogg Historical Society or to a charity of your choosing.  Burial will be in Our Silent City Cemetery in Kellogg.

    On October 15, 1944, Mary was united in marriage with Carl J. Parsons in the Pleasant View Methodist Church.  She was employed as an Office Manager by the Kellogg Telephone Company, retiring in the late 1980’s. 

She had devoted her life to her family as a homemaker, was a lifelong member of the Pleasant View Methodist Church, a member of the Amboy Grange, Kellogg Lions Club, Kellogg Historical Society Board Member-30 plus years and had received the Community Citizens Award.    

   Mary died Tuesday morning, July 23, 2024, at the Trinity Care Facility-Luther Park in Des Moines.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Carl on April 20, 1974, and her siblings: Robert and Donald Tough; and Doris Bahrenfuse.

   Those left to honor Mary’s memory include her sons: Stephen (Shirley) Parsons of Harrisonburg, VA, David (Noralyn) Parsons of Albuquerque, NM and John (Jenifer) Parsons of Des Moines; her eight grandchildren; her numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; and her many extended family and friends.