Yvonne Allison Parker

Yvonne Allison Backus was welcomed into this world on September 9, 1919 by her parents Ward and Leona and her older brother, Jerome. She was born in Sterling, Colorado, but moved with her family to Baca County when she was just one year old. While on the Backus homestead 3 miles north of Two Buttes Mountain, a younger sister Donna arrived and the three children enjoyed the animals and adventures to be found with “country life”. Ward was a “music man” who became quickly involved in forming community bands throughout southeastern Colorado and western Kansas. Every week he drove the 18 miles into Two Buttes for band practice. In 1924 the family moved into town and Leona was appointed postmaster, a position she held for 31 years. Each of the Backus children learned a different band instrument. By the time Yvonne started first grade she had advanced from drums to saxophone. In large part because of the Backus family, Two Buttes became a regional center for musical entertainment. The annual “Music Day” lifted the spirits of neighboring communities during the hardships of the drought, dust, and depression of the 1930’s. The event was held for 18 years, finally suspended during the war. Yvonne continued to play the saxophone into her 80’s, often entertaining residents at Springfield’s Long Term Care Center. The graduation ceremony for Yvonne’s high school class of 1937 was the first to be held in the Two Buttes community center, a project of the “New Deal”. Two years later she had the honor of being in the first graduating class of Lamar Junior College. In 1940 Yvonne married Joseph Parker, a Springfield boy whom she first met in high school when both played the tenor sax at a county music festival. The Parker family had settled in Baca County about the same time as the Backus’. Joe and Yvonne made their first home south of Springfield where they started farming and raising a family. By 1944 there were three children—Quinlin, JoVonne, and Stuart. After a few years on the farm, the Parkers moved into Springfield. Several years and as many good crops later, they designed and built Yvonne’s “dream home” on Roosevelt Street. Yvonne loved being a homemaker and taking an active part in her children’s activities, often in a leadership role. She was a room mother, scout and 4-H leader, youth fellowship sponsor, Mother Advisor for Rainbow girls, a driver and chaperone for many school and church trips. At the same time she insisted that school work and music practice came first. Yvonne often said this was the happiest time of her life. That was evident by her habit of whistling or humming a tune while rushing from one project to the next. She was also active in Eastern Star, United Methodist Women, Club Que Val and the hospital auxiliary. Yvonne was happiest when caring for others which she did unselfishly, not only for her aging parents and two special aunts, but a host of friends for whom she always made time. She was often seen driving friends to clubs, church, concerts, doctor appointments or lunch at the senior center. Until vision problems forced her to give up driving a few years ago, she delivered meals on wheels every week. Her favorite pastimes were sewing, crocheting, and entertaining—whether it be family dinners, teen-agers dancing in the basement, decorating floats in the round top, bridge clubs, or holiday visits with her four grandchildren. More than anything in recent years, she enjoyed Rockies baseball and her favorite game—bridge! Always a good sport about the annual fishing trip to Taylor Park after harvest, Yvonne finally was able to do other traveling with family and friends—Caribbean and Alaska cruises, Hawaii, Mexico, Canada, and many vacation spots in the United States. Yvonne died on October 29, 2008 at the retirement community in Pueblo where she had lived since July, 2006. She was preceded in death by her husband Joseph and sister Donna. She was dearly loved and will be sadly missed by her brother Jerome in Arkansas; her children: Quinlin (Kay Palmer) Parker of Springfield, JoVonne (Jerry) Fitzgerald of Denver, Stuart (Joan) Parker of Canon City; grandchildren: Robyn Parker (David Dodero) of Grand Junction, Brian (Leslie) Fitzgerald of Pueblo, Matt Parker of Canon City, Drew (Laura) Parker of Englewood; great-grandchildren: Daniel and Alana Dodero, and Aston Parker; and many nieces and nephews.