Dave Merrell Parker, 70
Dave Merrell Parker was born to Clyde Parker and La-Vonne (Berry) Parker on January 30, 1953, in Dalton, NE.
Dave was 70 years old when he gave up his battle with end stage emphysema on June 2, 2023.
Cremation has been requested with no local services.
A graveside service will be held at the Dalton Cemetery in Dalton, NE, at 10:00 a.m. on July 29, 2023. Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh. com. Memorials have been suggested to Susan G.
Komen for the Cure, and may be left with or mailed to Countryside Funeral Home, P.O.
Box 247, Fredonia, KS, 66736. Dave was raised and worked at Rush Creek Ranch around the town of Lisco, NE. Dave married Kathryn Foard on April 4, 1972. Two children were born to this union, Shawn and Shelly. After he left the ranch in 1980, Dave took on a new career as a truck driver, learning his skills while driving on the Donner Pass starting in Nevada to California, which he was very proud of. Dave and wife Kathy settled in Gordon, NE, with their family in 1983, where he then started hauling cattle, grain and rock, until Kathy’s passing on April 26, 1994.
In 1997 Dave met Lisa (Edwards) Vandermate in Gordon. They moved to Long Prairie, MN, where Dave worked at Larson’s Boat Factory and Hormel Meat Processing and broke horses for people on the side. They then moved to Wilcox, AZ, where he drove truck hauling cattle for the local feed lots. They eventually moved to Kansas, settling in Benedict. Dave then spent the next 21 years working locally and was the Road and Bridge Superintendent for Wilson County prior to his retirement.
Dave lived life, he liked to have a drink, stood up for what he thought was right, and didn’t always follow the rules.
He was a good provider, an avid hunter and loved fishing.
His passion was training horses, team rope and win, be active like bowling, playing pool and drive race cars. He gave 100% and wanted to be the best at whatever he did. He loved his family, taught them to love each other and that nothing was free, you had to work for it.
He is survived by his wife Lisa; his mother, LaVonne Parker of Bridgeport, NE; his children: Shawn (Michelle) Parker of Benedict, KS and Shelly Coats of Abilene, KS; his stepchildren: Amanda McColley of Duenweg, MO, Gayla Vandermate of Torrington, WY and Curtis Vandermate of Benedict, KS; two grandchildren, Kallie Parker and Rylie (Abby) Parker; five step-grandchildren: Jaden, Codi, Laine, Camron and Tabias; and five great-grandchildren: Carrisa, Billy Ray, Rechelle, Danny and Arthur.
Dave was preceded in death by his father Clyde, sister Bonnie Kimerling, wife Kathy, a grandson Logan Coats and son-in-law Todd Coats.