Robert Parker

Robert D. Parker, age 93, of Willmar, passed away Thursday afternoon, Sept. 16, at Carris Health Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 22, at Vinje Lutheran Church.  Interment will be at the Spicer City Cemetery with military honors provided by the Willmar American Legion Post #167.  Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 21, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Robert Duane Parker was born on August 9, 1928, in New London, Minnesota, the son of Forrest and Julia (Williamson) Parker.  He grew up in the New London area which is now within Sibley State Park and attended school in district #10.  In 1950, Robert entered the U.S. Army and served active duty in Korea from 1951 to 1952.  From 1952 to 1957, Robert served in the U S. Army Reserves.  Following his honorable discharge in 1957, Robert began working at Honeywell in Minneapolis.  On June 6, 1959, Robert was united in marriage to Rebecca Fauchald and they made their home in Willmar.  He was employed by the State of Minnesota at the Willmar State Hospital for over 35 years, working as a groundskeeper and tending to the flowers and plants in the greenhouse.  Robert was a member of Vinje Lutheran Church.  He enjoyed gardening, camping, traveling, being active outdoors and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his three children, James (and Ilene) Parker of Willmar, Harlan (and Becky) Parker of Fountain Hills, AZ., and Marie (and Steve) Eischen of Willmar; five grandchildren, Mike (and Beth) Parker of Rogers, Erica (and Nick) Needham of Prior Lake, Jeremy (and Amanda) Parker of Clearwater, Jared Eischen of Moorhead and Jessica Eischen of St. Cloud; three great grandchildren, Parker, Riley and Emersyn and one brother, Howard Parker of Willmar, besides other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Rebecca in 2017; his parents; one sister and brother-in-law, Arvila and Jens Flesland and one sister-in-law, Carol Parker.