Ruth Joan Parks

Ruth Joan Parks passed away on July 26, 2026, in Emporia. Joan was born May 18, 1933, to Fred and Della (Pracht) Jacques in Topeka, Kansas.

After growing up in Chicago, Illinois, Joan moved back to Kansas with her family in 1950, where her father built and operated “Fred’s Derby Service” restaurant and truck stop in Emporia.

Joan graduated from Emporia High School in 1951. Joan was married in 1952 to George “Jr.” Parks, and they were blessed with three children – Terry, Gary, and Katherine.

After attending the Licensed Practical Nurse program in 1971, Joan was employed at Newman Memorial Hospital in the OB/GYN unit. While working as an LPN, Joan then attended classes at ESU and Newman School of Nursing, receiving her diploma as a Registered Nurse. She loved taking care of new mothers and babies. In October 1996, the Emporia Gazette named her “Woman of the Week,” and, in 1998, she was Newman Memorial Hospital’s “Employee of the Year.”

Joan was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Jr., her beloved son, Gary, her sister, Jean Krase, her great-granddaughter, Graycee Carpenter, and her companion in later years, Frank Childers.

Joan is survived by her son Terry (Cheri) Parks of Phillipsburg, Kansas, daughter Katherine (Rich) Parks-Ertelt of Guilderland, New York, and her sister Janet (Gabe) Pantaleo of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Also surviving are grandchildren Courtney (Brian) Carpenter, Charlee Simpson, Stephanie Miner, and Riley Ertelt, as well as 12 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandson, niece Mary Brown Tholen, and close family members of Frank Childers – Cheryl and Robert Shaffer and boys.

Joan was a member of Grace United Methodist Church – active in the United Women in Faith and the Health and Wellness Ministry. As a member of the Prayer Shawl Ministry, she knitted hundreds of prayer shawls. She also was a member of the Newman Hospital Auxiliary, DAR, League of Women Voters, and American Legion Auxiliary.

Joan’s favorite memories were of time spent with her family – summer visits from her granddaughters, fun trips to Austin, TX and Phillipsburg, KS, pool parties, and camping out with friends.

Joan has been cremated. Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, August 2, 2026, at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home and the Memorial Service will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, August 3, 2026, at Grace United Methodist Church, with burial in Prairie Grove Cemetery in Chase County at 2:00 p.m. Memorial contributions to Grace United Methodist Church, Emporia David Traylor Zoo, ESU Nursing Program, or The National AIDS Quilt Memorial can be sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, Kansas 66801.