Delores "Momma Dee" Wolfgram-Parke

“Momma Dee” passed away on May 8, 2015 from complications of dementia.

Dee Wolfgram was born May 7, 1932 in Carson, North Dakota to parents Hilmer and Lydia Wolfgram. After spending her first 7 years in Carson the family moved to Summers, Montana for a year and then to Boise, Idaho. Dee attended Franklin Elementary and graduated from Boise High School in 1950. She then worked at Idaho First National and spent her days off riding and showing horses with her sister-in-law Margaret Wolfgram. She frequently rode at the old Boise fairgrounds up on the bench, where she met a young man who was a race horse jockey and trained cutting horses. She married Wilmer”Dude” Parke on October 25, 1957 and they were off on a grand new adventure. They moved down to Malta, Idaho where they worked on the Parke Ranch for a time. Their adventure then took them to several different states where they trained and showed Quarter horses. After 12 years of showing, traveling and having the time of their lives, they decided to settle down in Nampa, Idaho. They found the perfect location on Orchard Avenue and transformed it to a horse trainer’s paradise, Parke Training Stables.  It was here that their “pride & joy” Lisa Dee Parke was born on Sept. 29, 1968. Parke training stables became the prime location to raise their daughter, many great horses and help mentor many young men and women. These young people were referred to by Dude and Dee as “the kids”. They cherished every opportunity to help “the kids” and mounted many on reining and cutting horses over the years. Dee loved the times when she got to cook, share time and travel with each and every one of “ the kids”. She also loved working at King Brown Nursery, Woolworth Department Store and Beukleman’s Deli over her long working career. Dee was loved by everyone she worked with and met over the years, her bright outlook on life, spunky personality and quick wit, was sure to pull you in. After retiring she spent many hours in her flower gardens, having lunch with friends and cherishing each and every minute with her grandaughter Callie Ann Lehto. She was on the go living life to the fullest, until a change in health slowed her down. Even though she was slowed up, she was still able to share many campfires with friends and family and enjoyed the visitors that came to say hello and have coffee and cookies.

Dee is survived by her daughter Lisa Dee Parke-Lehto, her “favorite” son-in-law, Craig Lehto, amazing grandaughter Callie Ann Lehto and dear friend Donna Walsh.  Also, by her brother Lester Wolfgram (Norma), many nieces and nephews who Dee loved to the moon and back. In addition, she had many amazing and diverse friends that she held near and dear, many of these friendships she had for over 50 years.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband Dude Parke, her parents Hilmer and Lydia Wolfgram and many sisters, brothers and sister and brother in-laws. Plus many other family members too numerous to list. Her family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers, Midge, Emilee and Lisa who provided loving care to Dee over the last few months. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to Boone Bartlome at 650 W. King Rd. Kuna, Idaho 83634. A memorial service to honor and celebrate her life will be held at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, May 21, 2015 at the Nampa Christian High School Gymnasium, 11920 W. Flamingo Ave., Nampa.  A dinner will be held after the service at Dee’s place at 12353 Orchard Ave. in Nampa. Everyone is encouraged to come as there will be lots of food and good memories to share.  

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