Patricia B. Parker, 92, of Holland, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 1, 2026.
Patricia was born May 5, 1933, to Howard and Gertrude (Smallenbarger) Brunn. She was born i
Wapakoneta, Ohio, and raised in Dayton. After graduating from Oakwood High School, she went to business college for two years. Patricia met Warren K. “Pete” Parker during her high school days and they married in 1954. Patricia and Pete raised their four daughters across America and around the world. They lived and worked Kansas City, MO, Cincinnati, OH, Columbus, IN, Bloomfield Hills, MI, Des Moines, IA, England, UK, Petoskey, MI, and Oxford, OH.
Patricia and Pete always dreamed of running a lakeside resort, and they realized those dreams at North Arm Resort on Walloon Lake. They retired to Holland, Michigan, to be near their family. They then became members of Grace Episcopal Church and volunteered with Feeding America. They also volunteered at Evergreen Commons Senior Center in Holland. Patricia enjoyed gardening, cooking, and birdwatching. She was an avid reader and loved watching all sports. Pete preceded her in death in 2018, and Patricia was also preceded in death by her son-in-law David Schuch, and her sister Sally Hager.
She is survived by her daughters: Jill Kempter of Grand Rapids, Jennifer (Darryl) Ernst of Richmond, VA, Sarah Schuch of Holland, and Gretchen Parker of Oxford, OH; four grandchildren: Matthew Schuch (Taylor) of Traverse City, Paul Kempter (Sara) of Grand Rapids, Grace Kempter-Mendez (Dago) of Lansing, Eric Schuch of Phoenix, one great-grandchild Kinsley Schuch, and extended family members.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, February 6, 2026, at Grace Episcopal Church, 555 Michigan Ave., Holland MI 49423. Visitation will be 12:00-12:45 pm Friday, prior to the memorial service. Memorial contributions may be made to Feeding America, or Gentiva Hospice.
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