Theda Parker

Theda Parker of Moscow, ID passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at the age of 94.

Theda was born in 1931 in Malta, ID to Etta and William Hull and was raised in Twin Falls, ID. She andher sister Thirza did everything together in duet. From her mother, Theda learned sewing, cooking,canning, and gardening skills, and from her father she learned to dance – and she loved those activitiesthroughout her life. Her favorite hobby was roller skating. After graduating from Twin Falls High Schoolin 1949, Theda went to nursing school at Latter-Day Saints School of Nursing in Logan, UT. There, at theroller-skating rink, she met Richard (Dick) Parker, her husband-to-be and life-long companion. Theyboth finished Bachelor of Science degrees, hers in Nursing and his in Wildlife Management in 1953. Thatsame year, they were engaged in Zion National Park in June and married in Milwaukee, WI in September. Theda began her career as a registered nurse in Phelps, Woodruff, and Madison, WI while Dick completed additional academic degrees at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1956, they moved to Pullman, WA, where Dick accepted a faculty position at Washington State University. Theda worked the night shift in the maternity ward at Pullman Memorial Hospital for 5 years. Following a hiatus to spend more time at home with children and to taxi them to sporting events, she then worked part-time in obstetrics for 14 years at the Moscow Pullman OB/GYN clinic.

More important than anything else was her love for family. Theda and Dick raised seven children, the first two born in Madison, WI and the next five born in Pullman, WA. They built the family house on 70 acres north of Moscow, ID in 1959. They encouraged their children to develop hobbies, play music, and participate in outdoor activities. Theda coordinated family picnics, family Sunday drives, family skiing, and family camping, as well as trips to the family cabin at Kootenay Lake in British Columbia. She also pursued her own hobbies – braiding wool rugs, knitting afghans and sweaters, baking breads and pies, and making scrapbooks of each of her family members and each international trip. Besides Dick’s sabbatical leaves to Oxford, UK (1968), Christchurch, NZ (1976, 1990), Liege, BE and Corsica, FR (1980), and Plymouth, UK (1983), Theda and Dick traveled extensively around Europe and visited Africa, Central America, and South America. Their fondest travels were to Austria, where they felt at home. Until the age of 88, they made repeated bi-annual visits to their favorite small alpine villages to connect with friends, enjoy the music, and hike the hills.

Theda’s beloved husband Dick of 69 years passed away in September 2022. From July 2024, Theda lived at Hill House Living in Moscow, where she maintained some of her sass and independence, and befriended caregivers and residents. Theda leaves behind her seven children: Kathy Parker (Mike Gillingham) of Prince George, BC, Gina

Young (Sam) of Moscow, ID, Doug Parker (Raydene) of Corvallis, MT, Steve Parker (Deb) of Issaquah, WA, Sharon Hendricks (Mark) of Shelton, WA, Linda Bushy (Mike) of Cashmere, WA, and Greg Parker (Keri) of Orofino, ID. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren, and 30 great grandchildren.

The family will be having a private memorial service. For online condolences and sharing memories, please visit ShortsFuneralChapel.com.