Ilene E. LaParr

January 6, 1942 - December 30, 2020

Ilene E. LaParr, celebrated her 79th birthday in her eternal home on January 6, 2021, after passing away into the arms of her Savior on December 30, 2020. She was the true definition of a faith-based woman, loving God. Born in Southfield, MI to the late Nathaniel and Mary (Robinson) Keech, one of 18 children. She leaves behind her brother Ernie and her sister Irene, and now joins her siblings; Leah, Elisabeth, Sarah, Mary, Nathaniel, Richard, Vera, Gordon, Virginia, David, Howard, Pauline, Kenneth and Robert. Ilene was a faithful and honest woman, who always saw the best of everyone, and in 1960 married the man of her dreams and the man she would walk with in the Lord, Charles LaParr. They met at the Traverse City Church of God, originally on Washington Street, and eventually found their forever church home with the Lighthouse Church of God once the new facility was built on La Frainer Road. For Ilene, her Christian faith, and works were huge parts of her life and who she was. She was an overwhelmingly gracious person who would give anything to help even if she barely knew them. There was no denying when her apple pie was served, it was the best, and her feasts of Christmas and Thanksgiving will never be forgotten. Her caring and selfless ways shined also professionally with her career first as a nurse assistant at Munson Medical Center and then eventually the 42 year Owner and Operator of LaParr Adult Foster Care, her true calling. Ilene will be watching down and caring for her children; Charles LaParr Jr (Kimberly), Carla LaParr (Troy Wilder), Pam Brown (Chris Lelievre) and Darlene (David) Sawer. Also missing her are her grandchildren; Ryan, Michaela (Jeremy Wallace), Hanna, Lindsey, Brandon (Amber), Stephanie, Mitchel (Jasmine), Christoper (Shannon) and Nathaniel, great grandchildren; Rylynn, Payton, Isabella, Jaxon, Kole, Nolan, Adelynn, Connor, Jacob, Jasmine and Violet. A funeral service was held January 6, 2021 to honor Ilene and can be viewed at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com on her tribute page. In lieu of a specific memorial contribution, please consider applying the Golden Rule in Ilene’s honor and be kind to thy neighbor, or to the National Kidney Foundation (Ronald McDonald House Charities Inc. 26345 Network Place Chicago, IL 60673-1263) Ilene and her family are being cared for by the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home.