Leonard Parrish obituary

Leonard Lloyd Parrish, 84, of Lake City, died Friday, May 19, 2023 at the Lake City Care Center.
He was born June 18, 1938 in Otisco Township, Waseca County, Minn. to Lloyd and Ellouise (Robinson) Parrish. He graduated from Medford High School and went on to Mankato State University where he met the love of his life, Rose Turner. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and following his honorable discharge, Rose and Leonard were married at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Blue Earth, Minn. on June 15, 1962.
The couple briefly farmed near Medford before moving to Lake City where Leonard worked at Gould, now Federal Mogul, for 34 years. He was also a member of the American Legion, Post 110 and Bethany Lutheran Church. He served for many years on the Cemetery Board and helped with grounds keeping at the church.
Leonard loved gardening and was always happy to share the many fruits and vegetables with friends and neighbors. He was also an avid fisherman. His family loved to vacation in Northern Minnesota where they would spend their time camping and fishing. Involved in athletics well into his golden years, he played on the Pink Panthers oldtimers softball team with many of his friends. He also became a master at horseshoes, winning numerous horseshoe tournaments all over Minnesota and Wisconsin. Leonard was a hard worker and the neighborhood “go-to guy” when anyone needed a helping hand. He was proud of his family and loved being a grandfather.
Leonard is survived by his wife of nearly 61 years, Rose; four children, Rev. Brent (Susan) Parrish of Prior Lake, Minn., Blake (Tricia) Parrish of Houston, Minn., Cynthia (Bill) Chelmowski of St. Charles, Minn., and Brad (Jennifer) Parrish of Rochester, Minn.; 11 grandchildren: Rev. Joshua (Katherine) Parrish, Elizabeth (Alex) Szwarc, Sarah Parrish, Lydia Parrish, Brett Ties, Carter Weidemann, Ellie Parrish, Emma Chelmowski, Ethan Chelmowski, Caleb Parrish, and Adelyn Parrish; siblings, Faye Noble of Kenyon, Minn., Rodney Parrish of Medford, Minn., and Carol (Roger) Pitan of Medford, Minn.; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Leonard is preceded in death by his parents Lloyd and Ellouise Parrish; sisters Marjorie Moeckly, Crystal Markowitz and Diane Parrish; brother Mitchell Parrish; nephew Darin Pitan; nieces Debra Noble and Pam Shakal; great-nephew Matthew Noble; brothers-in-law Don Noble and Chester Overboe; and sister-in-law Evelyn Skinner.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m., Friday, May 26, 2023 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Lake City with Rev. Steven Frentz, Rev. Dr. Brent Parrish, and Rev. Joshua Parrish officiating. Visitation will be at the church two hours prior to the service. The burial will be at the church cemetery. Online condolences may be placed at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.