Gertrude Zell Hatfield Parker

Gertrude Zell (Hatfield) Parker, February 9, 2005 Gertrude Zell (Hatfield) Parker, age 100 of Viola, passed away peacefully on Feb. 9th 2005 at Vernon Manor in Viroqua where she resided for the past 2 years. Gertrude, the youngest child, was born to Jesse Edward and Alice Alpharette (Waggoner) Hatfield on Aug. 6, 1904 in the Township of Stark, Vernon County on the Jug Creek family farm. Gertrude attended the Maple Ridge School, leaving after 8th grade to help her family and others who needed help with caring for children and housework. When she was 18, she started working in LaFarge at the restaurant & bakery. In 1928 she bought a new Whippet automobile. She and the salesman took the train to LaCrosse to pick up the car and she learned to drive on the way home. In 1929-30 she worked at the Asylum for the Insane in Richland County, which is now Pine Valley Manor. On April 16, 1930 she was united in marriage to Alva Joseph Parker at The Little Brown Church in the Vale, Nashua, Iowa. To this union, five children were born: Lois M., Murl J., Dale E., June L., and Evan A. A nephew, Wilfred A. Lawton was included in this family after his grandparents passed away. Gertrude came as a bride to the Parker Family Farm, spending 38 years on the farm. After the accidental death of her husband on March 21, 1968, she moved to Viola where she has lived for 34 years. Gertrude was very active at the nutrition site and was president of the Senior Club. She was a member of the Viola United Methodist Church. Gertrudes family was most important to her. She was a wonderful mother and grandma. Preceding Gertrude in death is her husband; her parents; three brothers: Jacob P., Carson A., and Elmer B.; a sister, Emma H. Marshall; a granddaughter, Susan A. (Baker) Anderson; a step-grandson, Terry Alderman; and a great-grandson, Jack Bucklin. Celebrating Gertrudes life are her children: Lois Barber of Livermore, CA, Murl (Alice) of Viola, Dale (Lola) of LaFarge, June (James) Baker of Viola, and Evan (Sari) of Janesville; special nephew, Wilfred (Lorraine) Lawton of Viola. Gertrude was blessed with 9 surviving grandchildren: Murl Barber, Margo Donoghue, Linda Bowers, Michael Parker, Sherri Allen, Mark Parker, Sharon Bucklin, James Baker, Jr., and Chad Parker; two step-grandchildren: Diane Alderman and Cheryl Haas; 17 great-grandchildren; 5 step-great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.