Sandy Parent

Sandra "Sandy" Parent, age 71, of Fort Ripley, MN, formerly of Green Prairie Township, Morrison County, passed away Saturday, January 26, 2013 at her home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at Holy Family Catholic Church Little Falls, MN with Jerry Nordick officiating. Interment will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery north of Little Falls, MN. Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls, MN, with a parish prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Sandra Jean Ertle was born on July 5, 1941 in St. Paul, Minnesota the daughter of George & Adeline (Leighton) Ertle. She grew up in the St. Paul area and attended Hill Murray in St. Paul. Following her schooling she worked at Schiller's Groceries. She was united in marriage to James Parent on December 28, 1960 in Roseville, MN. The couple lived in St. Paul, Beaver Bay on the North Shore and eventually moved to Little Falls in 1970. While living in Little Falls, Sandy was devoted to being a mother and worked part-time jobs at JC Penney's, drove school bus, worked as a real estate agent, had her own flower business, and recently retired from managing Lazy Pines Resort on Green Prairie Fish Lake which she and Jim owned for 24 years. Sandy enjoyed dancing, socializing with friends, music, crafts, television, playing cards and games and loved animals especially dogs. Her family and friends will remember her for her zest for life. She enjoyed making others happy by remembering their birthdays, anniversaries and special events in their lives. Sandy was very generous in supporting charitable causes. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, James "Jim" Parent of Fort Ripley, MN; children, Thomas Parent of Atlanta, GA and Lorrie Parent of Minneapolis, MN; mother-in-law, Valborg Parent of Silver Bay, MN; brother-in-law, Tom Parent and nephew, Jim Parent of Olympia, WA; and beloved dog, Kali "Sweetie". Sandy was preceded in death by her parents, George & Adeline (Leighton) Ertle; aunt, Edna Leighton; father-in-law, Clifford Parent and mother-in-law, Agnes (Dupuis) Parent. Memorials preferred to Morrison County Humane Society and American Lung Association.