Minnie C. "Connie" Parker

Dec. 9, 1923 – Jan. 13, 2018 Hermina Cornelia Kortekaas, known to most as Connie, or Minnie, was born in the family home in Everett, WA, on December 9, 1923 to Gysbertus "George" Kortekaas and Cornelia Kors Kortekaas, immigrants from Holland. She was the fourth of six children, and very proud of her Dutch heritage. A life-long member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, she attended the parish school and was later married there. She was a member of the YLI Catholic women's group for over 60 years, and served as President, Secretary, and District Deputy several times over the years. She was a graduate of Everett High School, class of 1942. Just two weeks out of high school she went to Seattle and went to work at Boeing. She started bucking rivets, eventually becoming a riveter, working on Boeing's B17 bomber during WWII. It was during that time she met a handsome Texan named Ralph Parker who was an MP in the Army Air Corp stationed at Paine field. After the war Connie worked for Woolworths in Spokane, WA, for a short time. Upon returning to Everett she continued working for Woolworth's behind the lunch counter at the Woolworth's store on Colby. She claimed that her iconic spaghetti was based upon a recipe she learned while working the lunch counter. Her Woolworth's job ended as she and Ralph started a family. Years later she returned to work, this time at the Everett Golf and Country Club where she worked for 27 years. Connie and Ralph were married February 1, 1947 and settled in Everett where they raised their family of four children. They had been happily married for 53 years, when Ralph passed away in early 2000 after a long illness. Connie is survived by her four children, Michael, Janice, Patti and Mark (Joyia); nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild; her sister, Frances Caballero, and many nieces and nephews and her special friends the Nielsen family. She was preceded in death by husband, Ralph, daughter-in-law, Susan, brothers, Jake, Nick, and George, and sister, Toni and their spouses.