Shirley Parison 1949-2024

Shirley Irene Parison, 74, Rossville, died Monday, March 11, 2024, at Midland Hospice House in Topeka.

She was born July 23, 1949, in Torrance, Calif., the daughter of Kenneth Orloff and Winifred Elizabeth Spicklemeier Howland. She graduated from Topeka High School in 1967.

Mrs. Parison worked as a dietary aide and cook for nursing homes, including Merry Manor and Jackson County Nursing Home, currently Medicalodges Jackson County, both in Holton, and Hill Haven Nursing Home in Topeka. 

She was a member of Christ Church in Holton and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxillary. 

She married James N. Parison on April 29, 1970, in Topeka. He preceded her in death on June 11, 2009. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Winifred Howland; a daughter, Rita Waterman; a sister, Faye Howland; four brothers, James G., William S., Edward L. and Ronnie Howland; two great-grandchildren, Jessica Parison and Chase King; and her stepfather, Oscar Helstrom. 

Survivors include a daughter, Francis Goodwin and husband Mike, Sabetha; two sons, James Parison Jr. and wife Amber and Thomas Parison, all of Holton; a sister, Ann L. Cain, Topeka; two brothers, Kenneth Howland and wife Diane, Burlingame, and David Howland and wife Debbie, Topeka; 12 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. 

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, March 22 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Inurnment will be held in Netawaka Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.