Mom was a living textbook for being a devoted wife, an exceptional mother, and a nurturing grandmother and great-grandmother. She taught us the importance of family and showed us how it should function, the inspiration it provided, and, of course, how to raise our own. By her actions and words, she encouraged us to be the best we could be and touched our hearts in ways few others ever could. Her smile was incredibly contagious and would often be seen as she beamed with pride just watching her family interact during the holidays and at other gatherings. Her 89 years of wisdom, guidance, and caregiving is reflected in each and every one of her children and grandchildren. She loved to play the lottery – but not for herself – noting “it is too late for me, but wouldn’t it be wonderful if I won for all of you?”
Affectionately known as Aunt Glad to her many nieces and nephews, nobody loved delivering or receiving a good joke more than Mom. Through her wonderful sense of humor, she always made us laugh and smile. And the sweetness of that smile was a gateway to the kindness of her heart, a heart that steadfastly guided her to one of the most selfless lives this world has ever known, dedicated to serving others in general and her family in particular. Her ability to love unconditionally, to care without judgment, and to teach us the best that life has to offer made her universally loved by all who knew her across every generation. Mom was truly in a league of her own. She embodied all the best of humanity and will live in our hearts forever.
Mom was preceded in death by her loving husband of 63 years, Donald Francis Parker; children, Ann Marie, Donald Joseph, and Dean David; her parents, Alvin and Esther Weidemann; and siblings, Myrtle Winter, Marie Richards, Hazel Studer, and Virgil, Wesley, Maurice, and Alvin Weidemann.
Mom is survived by her siblings, Doris Politsch, Alice Mentel, Nadine Rowald, Joyce (Larry) Scace, and Wayne (Carol) Weidemann; and her children, David (Keturah), Studio City, CA and children, Denzel and Shadel; Dan (Sharon), N. Little Rock, AR and children, Matt (Kristi), Mallory (Logan), Brittany (Amasia), and Haley (Landon); Mary Barger, Belleville, IL and children, Ann (Cullen), Danny (Katie), and Charlotte; Linda (Tom) Quiros, Belleville, IL and children, Tommy, Michael, and Andrew; Dennis (Julie), Swansea, IL and children, Wyatt, Don, Evan, and Sydney; Joyce (Brian) Michel, Fontana, WI and children, Jessica, Parker, and Sean; Beverly Parker, O’Fallon, IL and children, Audrey, Natalie, and Emily; Derek (Rosa), Glendora, CA and children, Karina, Ryan, Hannah, and Bianca; and Dale (Melissa), Belleville, IL and children, Auggie, Dash, and Rhett; grandsons, Adam Parker of DeLand, FL (son of the late Donald Joseph Parker); and Jon (son of the late Dean David Parker); and great-grandchildren, Violet and Parker Brumm, Barrett and Brinkley Brown, and Clyde Grant. As you can see, family was her life!
Mom will also be dearly missed by the many friends of her children and grandchildren who also came to know and love her.
Memorials may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, Belleville, IL Condolences and the sharing of tributes, including your favorite tasteful joke, may be expressed at www.rennerfh.com
Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Burial will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.