Jon G. Parsons

Jon G. Parsons, 84 of Hurley and Viborg, died Monday, October 3, 2022 at the Pioneer Memorial Hospital in Viborg.

Arrangements are pending for a Celebration of Life service to be held for Jon and Karla in Hurley with burial at the Hurley Cemetery.

Jon Gray Parsons was born on November 10, 1937 in Sioux Falls, SD to John and Esther
(Hawk) Parsons. He grew up on the family homestead in Hurley, attending school and
graduating from Hurley High School in 1955. He farmed until 1961 when he enlisted in the US
Army. Jon was posted to Korea as a heavy equipment mechanic with the 44th Engineer
Construction Battalion. He returned to Hurley and resumed farming. In 1964, he married Karla
Benson and had two daughters, Jayne and Joan.

Jon had a voracious appetite for reading and learning; his interests in construction,
deconstruction, and all things mechanical were put to use on the farm. He was known for his
prowess in welding, ability to solve a tricky problem, and willingness to fix or build just about
anything.

Jon was a member of Harmony Presbyterian Church and the Hurley Legion. He served with the
Legion Honor Guard and Rifle Squad and for years helped set up the Avenue of Flags. He
loved spending time with his niece, Jolyn, and his grandchildren, Luke and Marin, teaching
them how to shoot and take care of guns, rig a line for fishing, drive all kinds of vehicles, and
how to tell a good joke. These life lessons usually ended with a reminder that mom and
grandma didn’t need to know about everything.

Jon was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and daughter, Joan. He is survived by his
daughter, Jayne (Lance) Bultena; grandchildren, Luke and Marin Bultena; brother, Jay (Melanie)
Parsons; niece, Jolyn (Paul) Munson and grandnieces, Aubrey and Lillian.