Marion Alberta Parnell

Marion Alberta (Hole) Parnell died at home on Christmas Eve, 2016, of natural causes. She was born the fourth child of Edna Gertrude (Moran) Hole and Albert J. Hole, in Cass Lake, Minnesota, on June 30, 1928. Marion loved sharing fond memories of small town life in Cass Lake and idyllic summers spent at her family's rustic cabin at nearby Wolf Lake. The summer of 1946, after Marion graduated valedictorian of her high school class, her father retired and Marion relocated with her parents to Santa Ana, California (to escape northern Minnesota winters!) where, except for two years in San Diego, she lived until her death. Marion soon made California friends from her enrollment at Santa Ana College and from joining St. Peter Lutheran Church, where she remained a faithful member for 70 years. After college, she worked at the Santa Ana main Post Office. She met her future husband, Chester Bryan Parnell, when he, a novice IRS agent, audited her father's tax return. Chet rented a superfluous PO box at the branch where Marion worked, just so he could drop by to see her, and leave her notes and love letters and rolls of cherry-flavored LifeSavers. Chet proposed to Marion on their second date, and every two weeks thereafter for over a year, until she said yes. They were married for almost 56 years, until his death in 2009. Marion and Chet raised a family of four children in Santa Ana. They loved to hitch up their trailer and travel to see national and state parks all over the West. Favorite family vacation and camping spots included Borrego Springs, San Clemente and Lake Tahoe. She was demonstrably fond of her children's friends, who were always welcome in her home and on trips to the beach (as many as could pile in the station wagon!) and on camping trips. She was a read-to-you, play-blocks-on-the-floor, play-cards-with-you devoted Grandma for as long as she was able, and her family was her pride and joy. Marion was an avid bowler in her younger years, remained sharp at cards and games until well into her 80s, loved reading, and always had a crossword puzzle going. She especially loved Christmas, and was intentional about making it “magical” for her children, and continued to expand her Christmas décor collection her whole life. We think it fitting she passed during the season she loved so much. Although in declining health for the years following Chet's death, the TLC of loyal caregivers allowed her to spend her remaining years in the home she loved, for which we are so thankful. Marion is survived by her four children: Nancy Lynn (Parnell) Moler (Randall Moler), Robyn Gwen Parnell (Mark Waggoner), Ruth Ann (Parnell) Vale (Eric Vale) and Robert Stephen Parnell (Yiyan “Joey” Zhang Parnell); eleven grandchildren: Karalee (Moler) McKinney (Matthew), Jaclyn (Moler) Salorio (Chris), Claire (Moler) Leach (Shane), Eli Wagnell, Sadie Wagnell, Bryan Vale (Samantha), Max Vale, Daniel Vale, Elisa Vale, Vienna Parnell, and Venice Parnell; and four great-grandchildren: Kaleb, Luke, Elayna, & Ciara McKinney, plus several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sisters Erva O'Malley, Gwen Baker, and Ruth Faike. Graveside services will be held January 14, 2pm, at Santa Ana Cemetery.