CEDAR RAPIDS — Twila Parker, 98, of Cedar Rapids, a former longtime Davenport resident, died Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016, at Meth-Wick Woodlands in Cedar Rapids. Services in celebration of her life will be 1:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, at Weerts Funeral Home, Kimberly at Jersey Ridge Road, Davenport, where the family will greet friends beginning at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to the Vera French Foundation.
Twila Reed was born in 1917 in Selden, Kan., the eldest of two daughters of Ira W. and Isa M. Reed. At the age of 17, she came to Davenport, where she graduated from St. Ambrose College with a B.A. degree in history and certification in elementary education. She later earned her special education certification from the University of Iowa, a master’s degree from the University of Illinois and administration certification from Western Illinois University.
Her career as an educator was both productive and enjoyable, having taught and served in various capacities with Davenport Community Schools for more than 27 years.
On Jan. 29, 1944, she married Dr. H.Eugene Parker. They had two children, Pamela and I. Reed. Dr. H.E. Parker preceded her in death in 1955. In 1957, she married Joseph Mason and became a mother to three stepchildren. Mr. Mason preceded her in death in 1961.
Following his death, Twila taught kindergarten and first grade at Davenport’s McKinley School before transferring back into special education. In 1963, she married William Lummer. A committed advocate for teens, she established a special program known as Teen Academic and Parenting Program, or T.A.P.P., and also coordinated the district’s hospital/homebound program. Recognizing the challenges faced by teen mothers in completing their education, Twila founded and served as principal of the Green Acres School, where teen parents were able to attend classes in academic subjects and gain parenting skills while their babies received care within the school environment.
Although she retired from teaching in 1981, her civic involvement remained remarkably vibrant for many more years, including a longtime tenure on the Vera French Mental Health Board and the Vera French Foundation Board. She also served as a board member of Positive Parenting at Trinity Medical Center.
At Western Illinois University, Twila served on the Education Program Advisory Committee and was awarded the Arnold Salisbury Outstanding Leadership Award by the Department of Educational Administration.
She served on the Iowa State Council for Adolescent Pregnancy through the State Health Department, and was a charter member of the National Organization for Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting (N.O.A.P.P.). In 1988, she was inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame in Des Moines.
Mr. Lummer preceded her in death in 1990.
Twila was a member of PEO Chapter IB for many years. She enjoyed international travel, including Australia to visit her daughter.
She is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Dr. Pamela Parker, Perry Bridge, Victoria, Australia; her son and daughter-in-law, Dr. I. Reed and Cynthia Parker, Cedar Rapids; grandsons, Robert (Jill) Parker, La Crosse, Wis., and Ned (Jacquelyn) Parker, Osage, Iowa; stepchildren and their families, Pamela Mason (Bill Sinn), Nisswa, Minn., Joseph (Mary) Mason, Castle Rock, Colo., and Maria Mason, Dubuque; and numerous friends.
In addition to her parents and her husbands, Twila was preceded in death by her sister, Nyla Reed Smith; and two stepchildren, Dean Lummer and Pamela Crawford.
Memorials may be made to the Vera French Foundation.
Twila Reed was born in 1917 in Selden, Kan., the eldest of two daughters of Ira W. and Isa M. Reed. At the age of 17, she came to Davenport, where she graduated from St. Ambrose College with a B.A. degree in history and certification in elementary education. She later earned her special education certification from the University of Iowa, a master’s degree from the University of Illinois and administration certification from Western Illinois University.
Her career as an educator was both productive and enjoyable, having taught and served in various capacities with Davenport Community Schools for more than 27 years.
On Jan. 29, 1944, she married Dr. H.Eugene Parker. They had two children, Pamela and I. Reed. Dr. H.E. Parker preceded her in death in 1955. In 1957, she married Joseph Mason and became a mother to three stepchildren. Mr. Mason preceded her in death in 1961.
Following his death, Twila taught kindergarten and first grade at Davenport’s McKinley School before transferring back into special education. In 1963, she married William Lummer. A committed advocate for teens, she established a special program known as Teen Academic and Parenting Program, or T.A.P.P., and also coordinated the district’s hospital/homebound program. Recognizing the challenges faced by teen mothers in completing their education, Twila founded and served as principal of the Green Acres School, where teen parents were able to attend classes in academic subjects and gain parenting skills while their babies received care within the school environment.
Although she retired from teaching in 1981, her civic involvement remained remarkably vibrant for many more years, including a longtime tenure on the Vera French Mental Health Board and the Vera French Foundation Board. She also served as a board member of Positive Parenting at Trinity Medical Center.
At Western Illinois University, Twila served on the Education Program Advisory Committee and was awarded the Arnold Salisbury Outstanding Leadership Award by the Department of Educational Administration.
She served on the Iowa State Council for Adolescent Pregnancy through the State Health Department, and was a charter member of the National Organization for Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting (N.O.A.P.P.). In 1988, she was inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame in Des Moines.
Mr. Lummer preceded her in death in 1990.
Twila was a member of PEO Chapter IB for many years. She enjoyed international travel, including Australia to visit her daughter.
She is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Dr. Pamela Parker, Perry Bridge, Victoria, Australia; her son and daughter-in-law, Dr. I. Reed and Cynthia Parker, Cedar Rapids; grandsons, Robert (Jill) Parker, La Crosse, Wis., and Ned (Jacquelyn) Parker, Osage, Iowa; stepchildren and their families, Pamela Mason (Bill Sinn), Nisswa, Minn., Joseph (Mary) Mason, Castle Rock, Colo., and Maria Mason, Dubuque; and numerous friends.
In addition to her parents and her husbands, Twila was preceded in death by her sister, Nyla Reed Smith; and two stepchildren, Dean Lummer and Pamela Crawford.
CEDAR RAPIDS — Twila Parker, 98, of Cedar Rapids, a former longtime Davenport resident, died Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2016, at Meth-Wick Woodlands in Cedar Rapids. Services in celebration of her life will be 1:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, 2016, at Weerts Funeral Home, Kimberly at Jersey Ridge Road, Davenport, where the family will greet friends beginning at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to the Vera French Foundation.
Twila Reed was born in 1917 in Selden, Kan., the eldest of two daughters of Ira W. and Isa M. Reed. At the age of 17, she came to Davenport, where she graduated from St. Ambrose College with a B.A. degree in history and certification in elementary education. She later earned her special education certification from the University of Iowa, a master’s degree from the University of Illinois and administration certification from Western Illinois University.
Her career as an educator was both productive and enjoyable, having taught and served in various capacities with Davenport Community Schools for more than 27 years.
On Jan. 29, 1944, she married Dr. H.Eugene Parker. They had two children, Pamela and I. Reed. Dr. H.E. Parker preceded her in death in 1955. In 1957, she married Joseph Mason and became a mother to three stepchildren. Mr. Mason preceded her in death in 1961.
Following his death, Twila taught kindergarten and first grade at Davenport’s McKinley School before transferring back into special education. In 1963, she married William Lummer. A committed advocate for teens, she established a special program known as Teen Academic and Parenting Program, or T.A.P.P., and also coordinated the district’s hospital/homebound program. Recognizing the challenges faced by teen mothers in completing their education, Twila founded and served as principal of the Green Acres School, where teen parents were able to attend classes in academic subjects and gain parenting skills while their babies received care within the school environment.
Although she retired from teaching in 1981, her civic involvement remained remarkably vibrant for many more years, including a longtime tenure on the Vera French Mental Health Board and the Vera French Foundation Board. She also served as a board member of Positive Parenting at Trinity Medical Center.
At Western Illinois University, Twila served on the Education Program Advisory Committee and was awarded the Arnold Salisbury Outstanding Leadership Award by the Department of Educational Administration.
She served on the Iowa State Council for Adolescent Pregnancy through the State Health Department, and was a charter member of the National Organization for Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting (N.O.A.P.P.). In 1988, she was inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame in Des Moines.
Mr. Lummer preceded her in death in 1990.
Twila was a member of PEO Chapter IB for many years. She enjoyed international travel, including Australia to visit her daughter.
She is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Dr. Pamela Parker, Perry Bridge, Victoria, Australia; her son and daughter-in-law, Dr. I. Reed and Cynthia Parker, Cedar Rapids; grandsons, Robert (Jill) Parker, La Crosse, Wis., and Ned (Jacquelyn) Parker, Osage, Iowa; stepchildren and their families, Pamela Mason (Bill Sinn), Nisswa, Minn., Joseph (Mary) Mason, Castle Rock, Colo., and Maria Mason, Dubuque; and numerous friends.
In addition to her parents and her husbands, Twila was preceded in death by her sister, Nyla Reed Smith; and two stepchildren, Dean Lummer and Pamela Crawford.
Memorials may be made to the Vera French Foundation.
Twila Reed was born in 1917 in Selden, Kan., the eldest of two daughters of Ira W. and Isa M. Reed. At the age of 17, she came to Davenport, where she graduated from St. Ambrose College with a B.A. degree in history and certification in elementary education. She later earned her special education certification from the University of Iowa, a master’s degree from the University of Illinois and administration certification from Western Illinois University.
Her career as an educator was both productive and enjoyable, having taught and served in various capacities with Davenport Community Schools for more than 27 years.
On Jan. 29, 1944, she married Dr. H.Eugene Parker. They had two children, Pamela and I. Reed. Dr. H.E. Parker preceded her in death in 1955. In 1957, she married Joseph Mason and became a mother to three stepchildren. Mr. Mason preceded her in death in 1961.
Following his death, Twila taught kindergarten and first grade at Davenport’s McKinley School before transferring back into special education. In 1963, she married William Lummer. A committed advocate for teens, she established a special program known as Teen Academic and Parenting Program, or T.A.P.P., and also coordinated the district’s hospital/homebound program. Recognizing the challenges faced by teen mothers in completing their education, Twila founded and served as principal of the Green Acres School, where teen parents were able to attend classes in academic subjects and gain parenting skills while their babies received care within the school environment.
Although she retired from teaching in 1981, her civic involvement remained remarkably vibrant for many more years, including a longtime tenure on the Vera French Mental Health Board and the Vera French Foundation Board. She also served as a board member of Positive Parenting at Trinity Medical Center.
At Western Illinois University, Twila served on the Education Program Advisory Committee and was awarded the Arnold Salisbury Outstanding Leadership Award by the Department of Educational Administration.
She served on the Iowa State Council for Adolescent Pregnancy through the State Health Department, and was a charter member of the National Organization for Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting (N.O.A.P.P.). In 1988, she was inducted into the Iowa Women’s Hall of Fame in Des Moines.
Mr. Lummer preceded her in death in 1990.
Twila was a member of PEO Chapter IB for many years. She enjoyed international travel, including Australia to visit her daughter.
She is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Dr. Pamela Parker, Perry Bridge, Victoria, Australia; her son and daughter-in-law, Dr. I. Reed and Cynthia Parker, Cedar Rapids; grandsons, Robert (Jill) Parker, La Crosse, Wis., and Ned (Jacquelyn) Parker, Osage, Iowa; stepchildren and their families, Pamela Mason (Bill Sinn), Nisswa, Minn., Joseph (Mary) Mason, Castle Rock, Colo., and Maria Mason, Dubuque; and numerous friends.
In addition to her parents and her husbands, Twila was preceded in death by her sister, Nyla Reed Smith; and two stepchildren, Dean Lummer and Pamela Crawford.
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