Elsa Maria (Lotti) Parks, 88, Hiawatha, KS
By: Gregory Hurt
Updated: January 31, 2013
Elsa Maria (Lotti) Parks, of Hiawatha, died Tuesday morning, January 29, 2013, at Maple Heights Nursing Home in Hiawatha. Elsa was 88 years old.
Elsa was born February 12th, 1924, in Malo, Vicenza, Italy to Pietro Lotti and Elisa (Demolo) Lotti. When she was three months old, the family moved to France. Her father was in the underground resistance against Mussolini and the move was necessary for his family's safety. Her brother Enso Lotti was born in Manom, France two years later. Elsa was brought up in the French school system in Lantefontaine, France where she graduated from the eighth grade.
The Nazi's were starting up the war (World War II) after her graduation and her small village was occupied by the Nazis. These were treacherous times for her family--barely enough to eat and fear of what the German's would do to them and did do. Then the American's came! Elsa met the love of her life, Charles B. Parks. He was a medic in the Army in a hospital near her village. The love grew and they married October 9th, 1945 in France. Elsa came to American six months later on a ship with many other war brides. They had a daughter Juda Josette Parks, born February 2, 1947.
Elsa worked for her husband at the Mid Central Egg Plant in Hiawatha until she retired. Then she was a nanny for Dr. and Mrs. Searight for a couple of years.
Elsa was a very kind person all of her life. She especially loved children and animals. She spoke four languages: Italian, French, German and English. She was a seamstress, crocheted, knitted, petite point, and had a green thumb. She will be missed!
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Charles of 52 years in 1998; and her brother Enso.
Survivors include her daughter Juda (Stephen) Marrs of Lawrence, KS; three grandchildren: Kristina (Jeff) Karrenbrock of St. Louis, MO, Zachary (Jennifer) Marrs of Lawrence, Matthew Marrs and partner Jennifer Forman also of Lawrence; five great-grandchildren: Alex Karrenbrock, Aerin Karrenbrock, Madison Marrs, Zane Marrs, and Morgan Marrs.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Ann Catholic Church, at 10:30 Saturday morning, February 2, with Father Earl Dekat as the celebrant. Cremation will follow mass with private inurnment at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hiawatha.
Friends may call at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha after 10 a.m. Friday. The parish prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, followed by the family visiting with friends.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Human Society, St. Jude Children Hospitals, or St. Ann Church, which may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.
Elsa was born February 12th, 1924, in Malo, Vicenza, Italy to Pietro Lotti and Elisa (Demolo) Lotti. When she was three months old, the family moved to France. Her father was in the underground resistance against Mussolini and the move was necessary for his family's safety. Her brother Enso Lotti was born in Manom, France two years later. Elsa was brought up in the French school system in Lantefontaine, France where she graduated from the eighth grade.
The Nazi's were starting up the war (World War II) after her graduation and her small village was occupied by the Nazis. These were treacherous times for her family--barely enough to eat and fear of what the German's would do to them and did do. Then the American's came! Elsa met the love of her life, Charles B. Parks. He was a medic in the Army in a hospital near her village. The love grew and they married October 9th, 1945 in France. Elsa came to American six months later on a ship with many other war brides. They had a daughter Juda Josette Parks, born February 2, 1947.
Elsa worked for her husband at the Mid Central Egg Plant in Hiawatha until she retired. Then she was a nanny for Dr. and Mrs. Searight for a couple of years.
Elsa was a very kind person all of her life. She especially loved children and animals. She spoke four languages: Italian, French, German and English. She was a seamstress, crocheted, knitted, petite point, and had a green thumb. She will be missed!
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Charles of 52 years in 1998; and her brother Enso.
Survivors include her daughter Juda (Stephen) Marrs of Lawrence, KS; three grandchildren: Kristina (Jeff) Karrenbrock of St. Louis, MO, Zachary (Jennifer) Marrs of Lawrence, Matthew Marrs and partner Jennifer Forman also of Lawrence; five great-grandchildren: Alex Karrenbrock, Aerin Karrenbrock, Madison Marrs, Zane Marrs, and Morgan Marrs.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Ann Catholic Church, at 10:30 Saturday morning, February 2, with Father Earl Dekat as the celebrant. Cremation will follow mass with private inurnment at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hiawatha.
Friends may call at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha after 10 a.m. Friday. The parish prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, followed by the family visiting with friends.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Human Society, St. Jude Children Hospitals, or St. Ann Church, which may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.
