Dorothy (Bruner) Parrish

Dorothy Parrish

With love and gratitude, we celebrate the extraordinary life of Dorothy (Bruner) Parrish, who passed away peacefully, March 30, 2025, at the age of 100 years and 6 months. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and servant of God, Dorothy’s life was a testament to faith, family, and unwavering kindness.
Dorothy was born September 23, 1924, to Fred and Ava (Greer) Bruner and grew up in Clearfield, Iowa. Four years later, her younger sister Darlene was welcomed. She attended country school through the 8th grade before graduating from Clearfield High School in 1942. She began her career in education, teaching at the Grant country school five miles west of Clearfield for two and a half years. On June 9, 1944, Dorothy married the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Parrish, in a ceremony at her parents’ home southwest of Clearfield.
During that time in history, married women were not allowed to teach in country schools; so from that day forward Dorothy and Bob built a hard working life rooted in faith, love, and hope. They first lived in a small house on a farm north of Clearfield before moving into their cherished big white house on Highway 25 in 1947. They were blessed with seven wonderful children: William, Dixie, Diana, Debra, James, John, and David. Dorothy worked tirelessly alongside Bob on the farm, embodying the values of dedication and perseverance while raising a loving family. Dorothy and Bob celebrated 51 years of marriage, until Bob’s death in November of 1995.
Dorothy’s faith was the guiding force in her life. She was a devoted member of the United Methodist Church since 1940, serving as a delegate to the Iowa Annual Conference for several years. She was an active member of the United Methodist Women, holding both local and district offices, a proud member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and served in the Order of the Eastern Star, where she took on numerous leadership roles. Dorothy also dedicated her time to serving others, working with “Nurses on Call” to care for the elderly and volunteering at Clearview Home and the Clearfield congregate meal site.
Dorothy’s love extended beyond her family and community—she found joy in camping trips with her family, attending the Iowa State Fair, singing with the Clearfield Community Singers, and traveling on sightseeing tours with dear friends. Above all, she cherished time spent with her loved ones, especially during Christmas gatherings, where her home was filled with warmth, laughter, and love.
In 2008 the first annual Parrish Reunion was held. This tradition brought countless family members together for a weekend in July to reunite, meet new family members, and celebrate special events, but most of all to see who would be crowned the champion team of the Parrish Family Bags tournament. Grandma Dorothy was the official drawer to determine who would be teammates, and there would be no stacking a team. She spent many joyful hours in the lawn chair watching her family and reminiscing of cherished memories.
As with all human lives, both blessings and challenges were present. From her life’s beginning to end, Dorothy found strength and comfort through her faith. Her favorite Bible scriptures included Romans 12, Psalm 23, Ecclesiastes 3:7-8, James 1:2-3, and John 3:16. Hymns she loved to sing and hear included: “In the Garden,” “How Great Thou Art,” and “Spirit Song”. Dorothy nourished & maintained her faith with daily prayer and devotionals, never wavering in her commitment to Jesus Christ her Lord and Savior. Her life was built on the promise of someday entering the kingdom of God for everlasting eternal life. Dorothy’s family is at peace today knowing she has now entered the eternal life God promised her. What glory and love she must feel now that she has entered the Heavens!
Dorothy is survived by six of her children Dixie (Ron) Meyer, Diana (Phil) Hegwood, Debra (Doug) Boyer, James (Barb) Parrish, John (Patty) Parrish, & David (Connie) Parrish, daughters-in-law Sharon Parrish and Wongduan Parrish, 23 grandchildren, and 46 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren, and a host of extended family members, all of whom were blessed by her love, wisdom, and kindness.
She now rests in eternal peace, reunited with her parents, Fred and Ava Bruner, her beloved husband Bob, her son William, her sister Darlene (Richard) Larsen and many family members who have gone before her.
Though our hearts ache in her absence, we take comfort in her words, her faith, and the legacy of love she leaves behind.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” – Matthew 25:23.
Visitation will be held at the Clearfield Methodist Church on Friday, April 4 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with services 4 p.m. Saturday at the church. Burial is in the Clearfield Cemetery. Memorials are to the Clearfield Methodist Church and the Alzheimer’s Association. Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr is in charge of the arrangements.