Peggy Vetter Parks

Peggy Vetter Parks

Highlands Ranch, Colo.

Peggy Vetter Parks died Sept. 2, 2023, at the age of 92. Peggy was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on June 22, 1931, to Margaret Bates Vetter and Frank Stafford Vetter. She was the eldest of three children. Peggy is survived by her sister, Martha Vetter, City Island, N.Y. She is also survived by children, Diane Mesa (Jose’), Oro Valley, Ariz., Kathryn Tiekotter (Kenneth), Trout Lake, Wash., Larry Parks (Janelle), Oro Valley, Ariz.,, and Carolyn Cremer, Denver, Colo.; and six grandchildren, Eddie Parks, Anchorage, Alaska, Eric Parks, Alexandria, Va., Kelly Cremer, Indianapolis, Ind., Scott Cremer, Denver, Colo., John Cremer, Denver, Colo., and Mark Cremer, San Diego, Calif.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents; brother, David Vetter; and loving husband, Frank Parks.

Peggy graduated from Franklin High School, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1949. She went on to Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, to study Nutrition/Dietetics; she transferred to Akron University where she received a bachelor’s of science degree in 1953.

It was on a blind date at Iowa State when Peggy met the love of her life and future husband, Frank. They were married on June 21, 1952, at First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. After moves to Ohio, Massachusetts and California for Frank’s career they returned to Cedar Rapids in 1961 to raise their family.

Peggy was proud to call herself a homemaker, happiest in the kitchen, garden, and involved with her children. She prioritized family, church, friends, and community throughout her life. She was active in PEO International, her Pi Beta Phi college sorority alumni chapters, First Presbyterian Church, and Cedar Rapids Garden Club. Always more than a member, Peggy took officer and leadership positions in all her affiliations, including serving as Elder at First Presbyterian.

It was Peggy’s childhood love of the Colorado Rocky Mountains that influenced the decision to move to Estes Park when Frank retired. While living there, they enjoyed hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park for 14 years. They shared a mutual passion for travel and curiosity of cultures visiting many countries outside of the U.S. In 2008 they moved to an active retirement community in the Denver area. Upon Frank’s passing in 2020, Peggy transitioned to Memory Care where she remained until her death.

A memorial service will be held at Wellshire Presbyterian Church in Denver: 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023.