Maralee Parkinson

Maralee Parkinson passed away September 17, 2025, at the age of 89. She was born May 9, 1936, in Austin, MN to Reuben and Rozella McGee Skogerboe. She was the second of eight children. Her early years were spent in Minnesota surrounded by family. She attended St. Anne’s catholic school until her family made their move west, eventually settling in the Tooele Valley. At age 13, Maralee and her family moved to Grantsville. In 1954, she graduated from Grantsville High School where she made lifelong friendships.

While in high school, Maralee worked at the famous Skyline Restaurant. It was here that she met and fell in love with Claude H. “Squawk” Parkinson. They were married on September 11,1954. While expecting their first child, Maralee joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1958. Claude and Maralee raise their four children in the LDS faith. They were sealed together, along with their children, in the Salt Lake temple, September 10, 1976. Claude and Maralee cultivated a home where family, faith, education, hard work, and love were the focus.

Maralee was generally found in the service of others whether it was serving in various church callings, participating in Grantsville traditions, or waiting on patrons at the Grantsville Drug Store. Maralee was a talented seamstress, an immaculate housekeeper, and an excellent cook. She had a great sense of humor, loved to laugh until she cried, and was always up for an adventure. Her greatest joy was serving and spending time with her immediate family and was the cornerstone of keeping extended family connected.

Maralee is survived by her three daughters, Doelene Pitt, Patricia Parkinson, Krista (Bryan) Sparks, and daughter-in-law Jody (Tom) Yager, 16 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 16 great-great grandchildren, as well as sister-in-law Julia Skogerboe. She is preceded in death by her husband; son, George S. Parkinson; son-in-law, R. Craig Pitt; and grandsons Christopher Warr and Adrian Courtney. Maralee’s passing marks the end of this generation of Parkinsons and the last of the Skogerboe children. Her legacy of love and service will forever be remembered.

A viewing will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints building located at 410 Shelley Lane in Grantsville, Utah on Friday, September 26th from 6-8PM. Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 27th, at the same location, at 12:00PM with a viewing from 10:30 – 11:30AM. Interment will be at the Grantsville City Cemetery following the services.

The funeral service will be live streamed. Click on the following link to watch live:

https://grantsville.live/grantsville13th

A special thank you to Didericksen Memorial for directing the services and to the University of Utah hospital for their excellent care the last week of her life.