Margaret Ellen Parker, 85, of Cedar, Michigan, passed away July 5, 2017 at Grand Traverse County Pavilions in Traverse City, Michigan. Margaret was born November 26, 1931 at Munson Hospital in Traverse City, the daughter of the late Victor and Mary (Powell) Bernhardt.

Margaret grew up in Grawn, Michigan and graduated from Traverse City High School in 1949. After graduation, she first worked as a secretary for the superintendent in the Grand Traverse County school office and later worked for the State of Michigan employment office. Margaret's final position prior to motherhood was as secretary for John T. Parsons, the owner of Parsons. Margaret was active in Bayview Wesleyan Church as a Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School worker, and was also involved in nursing home ministries at Bortz, Grand Traverse Medical Care Facility, and Birchwood. She was most recently affiliated with the First Church of the Nazarene.

Margaret married Keith E. Parker on March 13, 1954, at the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Traverse City, Michigan. They built a home on the Parker family farm where they lived all their married life. Margaret found Christ as a child. She was a woman who was passionate about praying for others. Margaret was faithful to God, her husband and family. Caring for her family and managing the farm were her greatest joys. She was very kind and compassionate and always cared for the less fortunate. She loved music, singing hymns, whistling and playing the piano. She was an avid reader and also enjoyed sewing, crocheting and preserving foods.

Margaret is survived by her devoted husband of 63 years, Keith Parker, of Cedar, Michigan; children Phyllis (Morrie) Walworth of Sault Ste. Marie, MI; Dave Parker of Cedar, MI; Brenda Parker of Warren, MI; Wes Parker of Cedar, MI; Carol (Todd) Sears of Bethel, Vermont; and Tim (Chris) Parker of Pearl City, HI; grandchildren Jeff (Sarah) Norris, Karen (Brent) Michals, Lisa (Ray) Golladay, Mary (Nick) Huyck, Becky (Nick) Splan, Marina (Brad) Bisdorf, Alexander Sears, Ben Sears, Ethan Sears, and Matthew Parker, and fifteen great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a sister Patricia Wiegert of Athens, Georgia and one brother, Victor (Bonnie) Bernhardt of Traverse City as well as many nieces and nephews.

Margaret was predeceased by two sisters Virginia Bernhardt and Barbara Gillis.

A funeral service honoring Margaret will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 10, 2017 at the First Church of the Nazarene, 1023 S. Division Street, Traverse City, Michigan 49684 and will be preceded by visitation starting at 12:30 p.m. Pastors Rick Rice and Steven Packer will officiate. A luncheon will follow the service at the church prior to burial at Solon Township Cemetery, Cedar.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial donation to the First Church of the Nazarene or to the Grand Traverse Pavilions.

Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Margaret's family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .

The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.