03/19/2026
DEANNA LOU PARKER
Deanna Lou (Vermillion) Parker, 85, passed away on Saturday, March 14th, 2026 at Hilltop Assisted Living in Cunningham, KS, surrounded by her loved ones.
Deanna was born on April 27th, 1940 to John and Alberta (Rhea) Vermillion. She was raised south of Cunningham on her family's farm, homesteaded in 1880 by her great-grandfather J.B. Vermillion. She married the love of her life, William (Bill) Parker on June 8th, 1958. Bill had found his "special angel", Deanna. They would have celebrated 68 wonderful years of marriage this coming June. They were each other's very best friend and soul mate.
Bill and Deanna started their love story on his family's farm just NW of Iuka. She was the epitome of a farmer's wife and supported Bill through thick and thin. Sorrow and heartbreak would shatter their world in 1962, when they lost their daughter Rene and again in 1976 when their daughter Stacie lost her valiant battle against leukemia. Deanna would carry those deep wounds for the rest of her life.
Bill accepted a position with the Federal Aviation Administration in 1969 and they started his career with the federal government in Olathe, KS. This was the beginning of many moves across the western United States. Her and Bill traveled extensively throughout their married life. They retired back home in 1994, when Bill accepted the manager position at Pratt Airport and Industrial Park. In 2012, Deanna and Bill moved to her family's farm, where her life had began, completing a full circle.
Deanna was known for many things, but loving unconditionally and being a nurturer, she took care of her family first and foremost. Deanna was the rock. She was the cheer captain for her team. The main supporter of every endeavor. Deanna was a well respected baker and an incredible cook. Her baked goods won numerous blue ribbon and grand champion awards locally, statewide and nationally. She was a Pillsbury Pie Crust winner and her story was featured on a local television station. Deanna was always ready for a game of "pitch" with family and friends, and she won the majority of the time. She loved to fish and always caught the biggest one. She loved her pups throughout the years. There were so many, but JoJo, Pepper, Mickey, Cricket, Cricket ll, and JoJo ll were the favorites. She was also smitten with her grand-pups, Puppy, Lola, Gunner and Koda. They all loved grandma and will miss her sneaking treats to them when no one was looking.
All of those who knew Deanna, loved Deanna. She lived a wonderful life, full of laughter, filled with love and adventures. Precious memories of her will live on in our hearts forever and always. She was a faithful servant of her lord and savior Jesus Christ, who we are sure welcomed her with open arms.
Deanna is survived by her loving husband Bill Parker, her son, Darren Parker and second son, J Morgan Griffiths, her little girl, JoJo and grandpups, Gunner and Koda (all of the home); her brother, Jack Vermillion, Newton, KS; her sister-in-law, Rita Parker, Eldorado, KS; several nephews, nieces, cousins and numerous special friends who she thought of as family.
She is preceded in death by her parents John and Alberta Vermillion, her precious daughters, Rene and Stacie Parker, several brother and sister in-laws, niece, Rita Pritchett, nephews, William Hager and Kenny Parker.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 27, 2026 at the Cunningham Christian Church. Visitation will be 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday also at the Cunningham Christian Church with the family present from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Graveside services will be 3:45 p.m., Friday, March 27, 2026 at the Iuka Cemetery, Iuka, Kansas.
Memorials in Deanna's name may be made to the Pratt Area Humane Society and/or the Activities Department at Hilltop Assisted Care facility or feel free to plant a tree all through Livingston Funeral Home, Kingman, KS.
