Helen Jean Parsons

The Matriarch of the Parsons Families, Jean Parsons, entered eternal rest Tuesday, 25 July 2017 at the age of 90, surrounded by the love, admiration and prayers of her families. She passed in the early morning hours of natural causes at her residence at the Falls City Nursing and Rehabilitation, where she has lived for the past seven years.

Born Helen Jean Barrie, 27 June 1927 in Seward, Nebraska, to her parents, Alfred and Ethel (Benjamin) Barrie, Jean was the 7th of 8 children. Jean grew up playing, learning and living with her 4 older Brothers (Edward, Bernard, Phillip & David) and 2 older Sisters (Marian and Elaine) and younger Sister (Marguerite) in Seward and later, Lincoln, Nebraska, where the cornerstone of her life was family and faith. She received her education at the Elementary and High Schools in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Jean met William (Bill) Richard Parsons in 1942 and after their courtship, married 23 April 1943. The couple lived in Lincoln as newlyweds and had their first daughter, Madaline Ann. Soon after, Mrs. Parsons’ husband was drafted into the US Army and served as a Medic in the European Theatre during World War II, during which time Jean and their infant daughter, relocated to Colorado to live with her sister. Upon her husband’s safe return at the end of the war, the young couple, their young daughter and infant Son, William Richard, Jr. relocated to Lincoln, Nebraska to live nearer their families. Mr. Parsons began employment as a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative. Their Daughter, Mary Jean, Son, Lee Allen and Daughter, Janette Marie joined the family of four in their years of living in Lincoln, Nebraska surrounded by family, faith and community. Mr. & Mrs. Parsons and their five children relocated to Chillicothe, Missouri in 1956 where Mr. Parsons continued his employment with McPike Pharmaceuticals while Mrs. Parsons enjoyed her role as a Wife, Mother of 5 and homemaker with their lives centered around Saint Columban Catholic Church and Bishop Hogan School.

The Parsons Family expanded with the birth of their Daughter, Victoria Ann, Son, Michael Gibbs and Daughter, Monica Lynne. The Parsons Family of 10 was active in the community of Chillicothe, with faith, family and marriages of their older children along with the new blessings of Grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Parsons and their three youngest children, Vicky, Mike and Monica, relocated to Cameron, Missouri in 1972 where Mr. Parsons was employed as a Pharmacy Tech at Rexall Drug Company. Additionally, Mr. & Mrs. Parsons assisted with the devoted care of their beloved Granddaughter, Natalie Jill.  The family was active in St. Munchin’s Catholic Church in Cameron and community activities. In 1977, Mr. and Mrs. Parsons purchased the Pony Express Package Store (Osborn, Missouri) owning and operating their own small business through 1980.

The love of Helen Jean’s life, William Richard Parsons, died suddenly 10 June 1981. Without her husband of 38 years by her side, Jean continued to live in Cameron, with their youngest daughter, Monica, until 1984 when they relocated to Falls City, Nebraska to live nearer to her oldest daughter, Madaline.  At age 56, Jean obtained her first driver’s license so that she could drive herself to church and her new job as a Green Thumb Employee in 1984. She enjoyed working in the office of Eastview Senior Living, the Job Service Office and the Lydia Bruun Woods Library before joining the staff at North School, where she helped the children with reading assignments, assisted in the School Library and supervised the children in the lunch room and on the playground.  During the summers, she continued to work at the City Library, alongside the librarians to catalog books, shelf books and lead Storytime for the children. That was, by far, her favorite part of her days at the Library!

Following her retirement, she lived in Fulton Villas and later Eastview Senior Living while enjoying time with her Children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren, whom were the greatest joys of her life. She enjoyed spending time in her small garden, reading, and visiting with her neighbors and friends. She has been a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Falls City since 1984. Jean relocated to her new apartment at Care Age Estates/Falls City Nursing and Rehabilitation, April 2010 where she was active in crafts, bingo, party planning, volunteer activities and physical therapy until her aged years prevented her. Following her 90th birthday, 27 June 2017, she celebrated her life and love with 60+ family members 1 July 2017 in the dining room at Falls City Nursing and Rehabilitation. Her birthday party was her final stop on her life journey, as she departed this great world 24 days later on 25 July 2017.

Left to love and mourn her are her Children –  Daughters – Madaline (Leon) Wilhelm, Mary (Mike) McKim, Jan Beezley, Vicky (Doug) Sackman, Monica Kuker; her Daughter-in-law, Norma (Bill) Parsons; Sons – Lee (Kellie) Parsons, Mike (Teresa) Parsons; Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren - Grandsons – Brett Keller, Bart (Gayle) Keller, Jeff (Megan) Sackman, Mathew (Tricia) McKim, Ryan (Libby) Parsons, Aron Parsons; Granddaughters - Lisa (Brad) Rea, Valarie Bartunek, Molly (Tyler) Garrison, Jill (Jeff) Jones, Carey (John) Rippe, Jessica Holdren, Julie (Henry) Chionuma, Katy (Paul) Samsel, Madison (Cody) Ball, Morgan Parsons, Sydney Seurer, Justine Seurer, Alexis Kuker; Great Grandsons - Caleb Rea, Nate Rea, Clay Keller, Will Bartunek, Smith Garrison, Blake Jones, Reid Jones, Whit Sackman, William Holdren, Mason Samsel, Cameron Samsel, Bryson Samsel, Drake Chionuma, Kade Seurer; Great Granddaughters - Sophie Keller, Haley Johnson, Charlie Garrison, Oliva Rippe, Nichole Holdren, Ellie Sackman, Addison Keller, Aliza Keller, Piper Chionuma, Sara Holdren, Charlotte McKim and the impending birth of Great Granddaughter, Emme Jean Seurer. Additionally, left to love and mourn her are her Step Grandchildren - Jenny (Eric) Self, Kim (Darrin) Schwang, Amy (Steven) Woods; Step Great Grandchildren – Drew Self, Aaron Self, Allie Self, Luke Schwang, Derek Schwang, Cole Schwang, Victor Chionuma, Addison Woods, Gage Woods; Sister - Marguerite Luers, many Nieces and Nephews, extended family, lifelong friends and neighbors.

Jean was pre-deceased by her husband, William Richard Parsons (1981) and most recently, her oldest Son, William Richard Parsons Jr. (2016), Granddaughter, Natalie Jill Cunningham (2006), Son-in-law, Ron Keller (2003), Son-in-law, Jim Cunningham (1972), Mother, Ethel Barrie (1970), Father, Alfred Barrie (1957) and her six siblings.

The Parsons Families extend their gratitude to the Nurses at Falls City Nursing and Rehabilitation that have provided a wonderful home to their Mother with care and kindness that goes above and beyond; a heartfelt thank you to the Doctors and Nurses at Community Hospital of Falls City and the “Ladies of In Home Healthcare Hospice.” A special thank you to Fathers at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church for their many blessings and prayers for Matriarch Jean and the families in recent weeks in Jean’s weakening hours. The guidance and support by Brian Daake (Dorr and Clark Funeral Home) in the families’ hours of need are greatly appreciated.

Service Details

A Parish Rosary will be recited at 10:00 am, 12 August 2017 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 1820 Fulton Street, Falls City, Nebraska.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am, with Father Thomas Dunavan as the presiding priest, also at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church.

Inurnment for Helen Jean Parsons will be with her Husband, William Richard Parsons at 3:00 that afternoon at St. Munchin's Catholic Church Cemetery, Cameron, Missouri.

 Service Information