Ward "Dart" Parks Obit

WARD 'DART' LEONARD PARKS, of Crosby, died on Oct. 11, 2022 in Crosby on his 77th birthday.  He was born in Brainerd to Leonard and Laverna (Ford) Parks.  Dart graduated from the Crosby-Ironton High School, class of 1964.  Dart’s education continued at the Staples Vo-tech.  He was employed as a Manufacturing Engineer for 42 years, employed by the United Defense in Moundsview before he retired in 2008.  Dart married Dianne Gates Kimbler on July 18, 1981.  Together, they raised their family in Moundsview. After retiring, Dart and Dianne decided they wanted to return to Crosby.  They enjoyed many days together and were happy to be back to their roots.  They were each other’s best friends.  Dart loved fishing, hunting, woodworking and cooking.  He was the grill master, always making in mass quantities.  According to urban legend, he was nicknamed Dart because of his tall, thin physique.  We think it is more accurate to say he “darted” out to help anyone in need. Preceding Dart in death are his parents and granddaughter, Josie Parks. Dart is survived by his wife, Dianne; three sons, Lenny (Lisa) Parks of Coon Rapids, Daniel (Colleen) Kimbler of Tucson, AZ and Wyatt (Nancy) Kimbler also of Tucson, AZ; three daughters, Laurie Parks of Annandale, Laurie (Mike) Lamoore of Cannon Falls and Amy Seaton of Tucson, AZ; two sisters, Barbara Wallberg of Ironton and Bonnie (Denny) Rasmussen of Deerwood. Dart’s favorite people called him ‘Pops”.  They are his grandchildren, Joshua (Katy), Danielle, Paula, Cassie, Tyler (Kat), Dylan (Brenna), Hayley (Caven), Lindsay (Allie), Luke, Matthew, June (Katie), Aaron, Alyssa, Deanna, Mark, Alejandra, Rudy, Olivia (Charlie) and Madeline; great-grandchildren, Sarena, Colton, Crosby, Martin and Ivy. A Memorial Service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crosby.  Burial will be at the Lakewood Cemetery in Crosby.  A visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.   Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.