Wes Parson
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Wes Parson, 66, of rural Grace City/McHenry died peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 after a courageous battle with cancer. Wes Parson was born on May 16, 1950 in New Rockford, ND the son of Max and Edith (Fenneman) Parson. He attended school in New Rockford and spent summers and weekends at his Grandfather’s ranch until graduating in 1968. His education continued at NDSU majoring in animal science, but after 3 ½ years, returned home to take over the ranch when his Grandfather became ill. Wes met the love of his life, Lori Ressler, while hauling cattle for her father. The couple married on October 8, 1976 at St Lawrence Catholic Church in Jessie, ND, then spent the next 40 years together on the ranch raising their two children, daughter Codie and son Nick. Wes was a rancher at heart, raising sheep, cattle, and horses. In 1970, he began to AI cattle and continued for the next 44 years which resulted in many friendships and entertaining stories. Wes was well known in the area for his fixing and fabrication skills. In addition to the ranch, he spent the last 16 years of his life working for the State of North Dakota at Camp Grafton South, retiring in April of 2016. In his earlier years, Wes enjoyed hunting, fishing, and serving on the Foster County Fair Board but in his later years his greatest joy came from spending time with his grandchildren. Wes is survived by his wife of 40 years, Lori, his children Codie (Larry) Larson Jr., Sykeston, ND and Nick (Rachel) Parson, McClusky, ND; and three grandchildren, Ian and Fallon Lacina, and Emmett Parson. Also his mother, Edith Georgeson, New Rockford, and siblings; Linda (Bobby) Vickery, WA, Robyn (Louis) Caragine, MO, Tony (Kim) Georgeson, MN, Pam (Gene) Mullenberg, TX, and Jennifer (Ray) Haas, WI, and Larry Georgeson, FL. He was preceded in death by his father Max Parson, step-father Aldon Georgeson, mother and father-in-law Bud and Mary Helen Ressler, brother-in-law Shawn Ressler, and grandson Denver Larson. VIGIL SERVICE: Sunday at 6PM at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, McHenry, ND MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: St. John's Catholic Church, New Rockford, ND DATE AND TIME: Monday, November 21, 2016 at 10:30AM BURIAL: St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery, Jessie, ND |
Posted Condolences:
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Name: Colleen Lund
Date: 11-21-16
Message: Heaven has a new angel. We would always stop to say hi. Such a warm genuine person. I hope the great memories of a great man will comfort you in this difficult time.
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Name: Peggy Langley
Date: November 21, 2016
Message: Lori and family,
Sorry to hear about Wes, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Peggy Langley
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Name: Lois Pfeiffer Schwarz
Date: 11-21-16
Message: May God comfort you all through the days ahead.
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Name: Gail Pollert
Date: Nov 21, 2016
Message: Oh, Lori, so sorry to hear about Wes. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
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Name: Lisa Wobbema
Date: 11-21-16
Message: I'm so sorry for the loss of Wesley. He was an awesome and great man. I have much respect for him. Condolences to Auntie Edith, Lori, Cody, Nick and family. You are on my thoughts and prayers.
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Name: Mary K Larson
Date: November 20,2016
Message: Dear Lori and family, Reading these posts has confirmed our thoughts on the character of this man. Having known him these past 3 years through the marriage of our son and Codie, we saw only love and compassion for people. He accepted his illness with so much grace and smiled through it all trying to ease the burden for his family. May you, Lori, and family always hold in your hearts, the admiration and love he had for you all.
Prayers and hugs,
The Larry Larson family
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Name: Gary Klein
Date: 11/19/16
Message: Dear Lori and Family,
So saddened to hear of your loss. Wes was the best neighbor any farmer could have. Back in 1972, Wes bred our Hereford cows to the Simmental bull "Bismarck" and we had a rough time calving. Wes came over countless times to help me pull calves even at 3am. Wes got me involved in many breeds of cattle and we traveled to many breed meetings together. He always had a smile and a gentle way of life. People like Wes sure make this life on earth more meaningful.
Lori and family, you are in my thoughts and prayers during this painful time. Memories will be so near to you.
All my love, Gary Klein
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Name: Glenn and Judy
Date: Nov. 19, 2016
Message: To the Parson Family, Our hearts ache for you dear Friends. You are such a close Family and we are sorry for the pain you are going through. May you feel God's presence, peace, and comfort. Love, Glenn and Judy and our Families.
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Name: Don Olds
Date: 11/18/2016
Message: Lori and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Wes. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all and your Families. I truly enjoyed working with him through the years not only on the ranch but at Camp Grafton as well. I cant say I have ever met a more genuine and better person than Wes. He will be missed very much by all that knew him.
Don Olds
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Name: Gary and Chris Ryan
Date: 11/17/2016
Message: Lori and family, We were so sorry to hear about Wes. Our thoughts are with you and your extended family. Although we can't be there, we send our thoughts and prayers. Friends, Gary and Chris
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Name: Darren Klein
Date: Nov 17th
Message: Dear Lori and Family,
I'm so sorry of the loss of Wes and our heart and prayers go out to you all. I have very fond memories of Wes through all those years he AI'd for us and always looked forward to each morning and evening of his arrival. He always had a smile and we sure laughed a lot over stories and happenings of the day. I really looked up to him and now we will continue to look up to him in heaven!
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Name: Joel and JoAnn (Heinz) Knudson
Date: 11/17/2016
Message: Dear Lori and family, so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Know also, that this is just goodbye, and you will be together again someday. May the Lord bless his memory.
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Name: Jim Hanson
Date: 11/17/2016
Message: So sorry to hear about Wes...he was such a nice guy, he always had a smile. Always enjoyed visiting with him.
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Name: Dennis Williams
Date: 11/17/16
Message: Lori and family, so sorry for your loss. Wes was a dear friend to us all, even though we had lost touch through the years, he will always be remembered for his kind heart and big laugh. Thoughts and prayers from all the Williams family.
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Name: Jim Johnson
Date: 11/16/16
Message: Lori and family, We are so sorry about Wes. Being a friend during high school, I remember how much enjoyed going out to the farm to be Grandpa and Grandma and work helping out with the sheep and other livestock. I have some fond memories of those days. May our thoughts and prays help to ease the pain of the loss of a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.
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Name: Conni (Dungan) Fugleberg
Date: Nov. 16, 2016
Message: Edith, Lori and family: I just found out about the passing of Wes! I am so sorry for you loss! I have so many fond memories of Wes and 4H! My Dad had bought my second saddle from Wes, I was in heaven! It was exactly what I had wanted for years!
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you!
Conni Jo
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Name: Lois Wilhelmi
Date: 11/16/2016
Message: Dear Lori and family,
So sorry to hear about Wes and Denver. Wes was such an awesome person to work with. Whenever he came to Camp Grafton Training Center HQ, he always had a big smile and asked how I was doing. You and your family are in my prayers.
Sincerely, Lois Wilhelmi
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Name: Dana Hermanson
Date: 11/17/2016
Message: Lori and family, I am so sorry for your loss, know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and hold on to your family at this time to help you go down this heartbreaking path.
Dana Hermanson