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JEAN PARLE

HUMBOLDT — Jean Parle, 89, of Humboldt, passed away August 3, 2017 at the Paul Baber Hospice House in Fort Dodge. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:30 a.m. Monday, August 7, 2017 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Humboldt. Visitation is from 10-11 a.m. Monday at the church with a Women of the Spirit Rosary at 11 am. Burial will be in Corpus Christi Cemetery, Fort Dodge.

Jean Lechner, the daughter of Arthur and Avis (Swearingen) Lechner, was born March 9, 1928 at Olds, Iowa. She was raised in South East Iowa and graduated from Oskaloosa High School in 1946. She then attended Mercy School of Nursing in Iowa City, graduating as an RN in 1949. On June 22, 1950, she was united in marriage to Donald Parle. Jean practiced as a Registered Nurse at Mercy Hospital in Fort Dodge until the couple moved to Humboldt in 1954. In addition to raising her growing family, Jean helped her husband in the family business, A Prime Refrigeration, until their retirement. Mr. Parle passed away in November of 2005 and Jean continued to maintain her home until becoming a resident of Springvale Independent Living.

Jean’s strong personal faith could be witnessed through her devotion to St. Mary’s Catholic Church where she served as past-treasurer of the St. Mary’s School Board and was a member of St. Mary’s Women of the Spirit. She was a member of the Iowa Nurses Association, and Chautauqua. She enjoyed playing bridge and her volunteer work with the Humboldt County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and served her community as an Ombudsman in area nursing homes. An avid reader, Jean had a deep appreciation for the Humboldt Library.

Jean enjoyed her large circle of friends and her greatest love was for her family who will always remember her selfless, caring, and positive outlook on life. She is survived by her children, Donna Jean (Michael) Shekey of Fort Dodge, Mary (David) Bradley of Urbandale, Michael (Debbie) Parle of Fort Dodge, JoAnne Spurlin of Iowa City, John (Tami) Parle of Thor, Dan (Dawn) Parle of Humboldt, and Jerry Parle of Ames; 17 grandchildren; and 20 great grandchildren; brother, Jack Lechner of Ottumwa; and sister, Janet Lechner of Carson City, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald; sister, Janet and brothers, George, Billy, and Jack.

Memorials will be made by Jeans family to benefit the children of St. Mary’s School.