Murl J. Parker

Murl J. Parker, 87, of Viola, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2020, at the Tomah Veterans' Hospital after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Born on November 21, 1932, to Alva and Gertrude (Hatfield) Parker, Murl attended Goose Creek Elementary School and graduated from Viola High School in 1951. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1952 and served four years working as an airplane mechanic at bases around the United States during the Korean War. Following his service, Murl attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering, earning a degree as an electronics engineer. He then worked for Land Air and Lockheed, traveling to many other countries and seeing things he never imagined. In 1964, Murl met the love of his life, Alice (Gorecki), as she served him his favorite steak dinner at a restaurant in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Married in Florida in 1965, Murl and Alice returned to Viola to take over the family farm in 1968. Murl was the long-time treasurer of 28 years in the town of Forest, Richland County. Murl and Alice provided a caring home for several foster children for many years. Murl loved his life as a farmer and even after retiring in 2009, he was proud to help his son Mark as he handed over the Parker Century Farm. Murl was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Evan Parker and Wilfred (Lorraine) Lawton. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Alice; his children: Linda (Carl) Bowers of Kaukauna, Wisconsin, Michael Parker of Stoddard, Wisconsin, Sherri (Ron) Allen of Westby, Wisconsin, and Mark (Rachel) Parker of Viola, Wisconsin; ten grandchildren: Matthew Bowers, Kevin Bowers, Adam Bowers, Alyssa Bowers, Blake Allen, Jenna Allen, Zane (Gabrielle) Parker, Jocelyn Parker, Seth Parker, Clara Parker, and one great-grandson, Solomon Parker. Murl is also survived by his siblings: Lois Barber of Livermore, California, June (James) Baker of Viola, Wisconsin, Dale (Lola) Parker of La Farge, Wisconsin and Sara Jane Parker of Janesville, Wisconsin. Family, friends, and neighbors are invited to a Celebration of Life at the family farm in rural Viola, on Saturday, July 24, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Viola Rescue Squad, La Farge Fire Department, or the Parkinson's Foundation. Vosseteig Funeral Home in La Farge is serving Murl's family 203 N. State Street La Farge, WI 54639 608-625-4244