Date of Birth:
Monday, January 10, 1927
Date of Death:
Saturday, August 10, 2019
Age:
92 years old

Beulah Martha Parkin

Beulah Martha Bilderback Parkin, 92, passed away Saturday, August 10, 2019 surrounded by family.

Beulah was born January 10, 1927 at home to Lena and Stewart Bilderback. She was born on East Center near where the civic auditorium was built. There was a row of houses on both sides of the street.

She grew up in Rochester attending school and graduating from Rochester High School in 1945. She worked part time at the Northern Hotel and later at the Zumbro Hotel while going to high school.

Beulah was baptized and confirmed at the EU8 Church in Rochester. She sang her first solo in church at the age of five. She was a lifelong member of EU8 Church which was later name Homestead. Beulah married Lloyd M. Parkin September 26, 1947 at the EU8 Church on center street. The ceremony was performed by Doctor Vernon Hilton. Lloyd passed away after 63 ½ years of marriage on March 1, 2011. She belonged to American Legion Auxiliary for 60 plus years, Forty and Eight Cabane Societe De Femmes, Homestead Memorial Church, National AARP, Great American Eagle Club, and Girl Reserves. She was also active in church and scouting until she started having health problems.  She was one of the first bell ringers for church. Beulah also sang for Kiddies Fun club on the radio which was sponsored by KROC. At the time, KROC studio was located on 1001^st Avenue Building on the corner of 1^st avenue and 1^st street southwest.

After her marriage, she worked for Lawler’s Upholstery and Rug Cleaners for a short period of time. She stopped working to be an at home mother to her sons. Later, she resumed work at the Methodist Hospital for 29 years in nursing department and business office.

Beulah’s hobbies include music (both singing and playing the organ), reading, crossword puzzles, camping, traveling in their fifth wheel camper, cards, spending winters in Florida and Arizona and traveling to Alaska and Mexico. Beulah sang for Jam sessions, wedding receptions and other special occasions. She had a great love for music, including country western and old-time music and she liked to dance. Her sons and grandchildren and other family members were her joy.

Beulah is survived by her three sons, Lloyd (Valerie) Parkin Jr of Rochester, Leonard “Mike” (Linda) Parkin of Rochester, and Randy (Donna) Parkin of Merrifield, MN; six grandchildren, Amanda, Ashley, Lisa, Timothy, Randy Jr, and Jason; two step grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; three step great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, two sisters, Charlotte Franks and Margaret Peterson; two brothers Mike and Leonard Bilderback.

Beulah was the last surviving member of her family and the last aunt of the Parkin family and Bilderback family.

Memorials are preferred to Homestead Church, Salvation Army, Veterans Organizations or donor’s choice.

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff at Season’s Hospice for their care and support.

A Funeral Service will be held in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 15^th, with Pastor Bruce Buller officiating. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 14th in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens.