Marlena Parkhurst

Marlena Kay Parkhurst, 20, of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, was born Saturday, July 21, 1990 at Research Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of Perry J. and Lisa M. (Wood) Parkhurst. She departed this life Monday, March 7, 2011 as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

Marlena was a 2009 graduate of Pleasant Hill High school. She was currently employed as a Bank Teller for Mezuma Credit Union in Lee's Summit and was in her fourth semester at Longview Community College in Lee's Summit. She attended the Pleasant Hill Church of Christ.

Marlena was a quiet, compassionate young lady. She was steadfast and loyal to family and friends and was always there when you needed her for moral support. She was straightforward in her convictions, not blunt, but honest in her thoughts and opinions that she had recently learned to express. She was the ultimate multi-tasker proof being that you would often find her reading, listening to her radio and watching television all at the same time. She had a deep love and compassion for all animals.

Marlena will be sadly missed by all who knew her and would want you to remember her by her favorite motto: "Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... it's about learning to dance in the rain"

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents Gerald and Mary Wood.

Marlena is survived by her parents Perry and Lisa Parkhurst of Pleasant Hill; one brother Joseph (and fiancAC. Kristine Schmidt) of Pleasant Hill; pathernal grandparents Carl and Gladys Parkhurst of Eagleville, Missouri; several aunts and uncles, Mick Parkhurst of Eagleville, Missouri, Helen (and Elmer) Wallerich of Pulaski, Iowa, Norbe (and Judy) Alatorre of Moline, Illinois, John (and Charlene) Alattore of Scottsdale, Arizona, Debbie (and Scott) Clark of Oak Grove, Missouri, and Gerald "Curly" Wood of Pulaski, Iowa; other relatives and so many friends.

Funeral services were held Friday, March 11, 2011, at the Stanley-Dickey Funeral Home. Pastor Kelley McCoy minister of the Pleasant Hill Church of Christ officiated. Interment was in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Casket bearers were Norbe Alatorre, Jason Johnson, Scott Long, Ricky Miller, Mick Parkhurst, and Gerald Wood.

Visitation was held Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the City of Pleasant Hill Animal Shelter and may be sent in care of the funeral home.