Anita J. Parkinson

Parkinson, Anita Jean (nee Carpenter), age 83, of Oconomowoc, WI, died peacefully Wed. Nov. 27th. She was born to the late Col. (USAF) William E. and Eunice (nee Tolander) Carpenter on Nov. 18, 1930, in Rockford, IL. She married Richard W. Parkinson in 1975, and they lived together in Chevy Chase, MD and Catonsville, MD before relocating to Oconomowoc in 2003. Both had attended George Washington University in D.C., where she majored in interior design and acquired her lifelong appreciation for antiques and oriental rugs. Anita was known for her wit, her exceptional cooking ability and her delight in shouting out answers, regardless of their accuracy, to trivia questions on programs like Jeopardy.

Anita is survived by her husband of 38 years, Richard, sister, Helene Ramos (Carpenter) of Castro Valley, CA, and two children: Brian Betzler of Folsom, CA and Stephen Betzler of Delafield, WI. There will be an informal gathering 5 – 7pm Saturday, Dec. 14th at the home of Stephen Betzler and Robyn Pearce, 1908 Hillside Drive, Delafield, WI to recall and remember the many wonderful moments of Anita’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in her name to Stars and Stripes Honor Flight Wisconsin at http://starsandstripeshonorflight.org/donate.php or by mail to PO BOX 636, Port Washington, WI 53074. Stars and Stripes Honor Flight honors all veterans by flying WWII, Korean War veterans to Washington, DC to visit their memorials.