Mass of Christian Burial for Arlene Parks age 82 of Valentine will be held on Saturday, July 25 ^th at 10 AM at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Valentine.  Rosary will be recited on Friday at 7 PM at the Church.  Visitation will be on Friday at 1 PM at Sandoz Chapel of the Pines.  Mrs. Parks passed away on July 20 ^th at Oak Wood in Valentine.  Memorials maybe made to the Valentine Senior Center of St. Nicholas Catholic Church.

On Monday, July 20, 2020, Arlene Parks, a long time resident of Valentine who was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother passed away at the age of 82 at Oakwood Assisted Living facility in Valentine, NE.

Arlene was born on February 12, 1938 in Alamosa, CO to Felix and Domitila Manzanares. On December 27, 1955, Arlene married Jerry E. Parks and celebrated 59 years of marriage before Jerry passed away on November 15, 2015.

Jerry and Arlene moved to California in 1956 and welcomed their four children- Larry, Gay, Bud and JJ to the family during that time. The family returned to Valentine in 1966 and took ownership of the Home Café/Home Oil and Tire Company on New Year's Day.

Arlene, worked along side her family in running the family business for over 30 years, and yet she never missed any of her children's activities. She was their biggest cheerleader and supporter. Arlene believed it was important to make a difference in the community and was involved in several activities/organizations through her years in Valentine and instilled this belief in her family. Some of those activities/organizations included: church organist at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Cherry County Historical Society, Centennial Hall, the USO, Pink Ladies at Cherry County Hospital, Valentine School drill team, Xi Beta Omega Sorority, along with many other community groups and organizations.

Arlene is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren: Larry and wife Becky of Thornton, CO and children Michael and Sean; Gay Pickner and husband Barry of Pierre, SD and children Bumper, Tyler and wife Megan, and daughters Bella, Lyla and Macy; Bud and wife Shelley of Valentine, NE and children, Megan Ruiz and husband Frankie, and children Brooklynn, Maia, and Eric, Andrew and wife Shelly and daughters Evie, Lily, and Marvel, Jerry and wife Morgan and daughters Amelia and Aurora, Josh Watts and wife Josie, and children Lyla and Mason, Stephanie Noyce and husband Shawn and children Shawn Jr and McKenzie; JJ Harvey and husband Matt of Littleburg, SD and their children Emilee, Grayson, Trent and wife Jenna and son Hudson; and sister in law, Jane Manzanares of Pueblo, CO. Other surviving relatives include Bob and Jim Dean along with many nieces and nephews.

Arlene was preceded in death by her husband Jerry, her parents Felix and Domitila Manzanares, her siblings, sisters Mary Arguello, Judy Abeyta, and brother Ed Manzanares.