Judy Jane (DeKleinhans) Parks

Judy J. Parks, 76, of Livingston, Montana, passed away on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 at her sons home in Paradise Valley with family at her side. The Family will have a get together for friends and family on Saturday, September 26th from 2:00 to 5:00 at her house at 185 Canyon View Drive in Livingston. Memorials are preferred to: The Cancer Support Community, 102 South 11th, Bozeman, MT. www.cancersupportmontana.org Judy was born on October 14, 1938, in Artesia, California. She was the daughter of Henry and Jeanette (Duncan) DeKleinhans. She received her education in Redondo Beach, CA. and was a graduate of the Redondo Union High School. On Valentines Day 1963, Judy was united in marriage to Haskell Parks. This marriage was blessed with 3 children, Donald Gar Sanders, Gina Le (Parks) Engel, and Greg Parks. Judy resided in Southern CA. until 1973 when Mom and Dad moved to Grants Pass, OR. They later moved to Sacramento, CA and then to Livingston, MT. They shared 41 years of marriage until Haskell past away in Livingston, MT in 2004. Judy was employed at Northrup Corp., The Home Builders Ass. in Grants Pass, OR. and at Laurel Ruff Transition School in Sacramento California, where she absolutely loved working with the children. She retired in 2000. After a short time in Bullhead City, they headed up to Montana to spend time with the youngest grandson in hopes the whole family would follow. Judy enjoyed thrift store shopping, crocheting, and had a love for cooking and recipe hunting. With her nightly rum & coke she spent evenings calling all her family and friends to assure that everyone was okay. Her whole life revolved around the love of her grandchildren. Her and Dad would gather up all the grandkids every summer and take them on a fun filled week long vacation. She was the Matriarch of our family and made each and every one of us feel special and loved. She loved all time spent with family and friends and her many "adopted" kids. The Sunday before her passing we had a wonderful dinner with friends and family sitting at the table playing cards. She sat with Pat McPherson on bench playing cards, laughing and having a great time. It was such a fun time, and such a great memory we will forever hold in our hearts. Judy is survived by her: Son, Greg Parks and his wife Teresa of Livingston, Daughter, Gina Engel and her husband Rock of CA., Grandchildren Mitchell Sanders, Daniel Sanders, Samuel Sanders, Tyler Engel, Jordan Engel, Nashoba Parks, Levi (Kari) Rockhill, and Riley Rockhill. Brother Jim and his wife, Bobi Dekleinhans of Hagerman, ID. Her favorite Nephew and his wife, JR and Linda DeKleinhans. Mom was so excited they were retiring here in November to spend time with her. And her niece Lisa Baynes, as well as many other relatives and friends. Judy is preceded in death by her Parents, Hank and Jeanette DeKleinhans, Husband, Haskell Parks Jr., and Son, Donald Gar Sanders. Mom loved her horses through the years and, with a gleam in her eyes, talked about riding her horses on Redondo Beach and swimming them in the ocean. Mom was also proud to be from the Duncan/Gemmell clan of Sheridan, MT. who were original Montana Scots from 1864. Mom sold Avon for some time here in Livingston and met very many people she loved. The Family would like to thank all of the folks that had helped her with her cancer and her son Gars cancer as he passed recently of cancer also. The support that she was blessed with was gracious and caring and we would like to thank, Dr. Laurel Desnick for all her wonderful care and concern. Justine and Brenda of the Bozeman Cancer Center and all the wonderful people at the Cancer Support Community. Mom was so looking forward to going to the "Mending in the Mountains" put on by the Cancer Support Community Center in Bozeman but unfortunately she missed it by two days this year. She leaves us all with a huge hole in our hearts. Arrangements are under the care of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory.