Karyn Parks, 73, of Columbus, Nebraska, died Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at Emerald Care & Rehab in Columbus.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, February 16, at First Baptist Church with Pastor Thomas B. Erwin officiating. Visitation will be on Tuesday, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Gass Haney Funeral Home and continue on Wednesday, from 9:30 AM until service time at the church. Interment will be in Columbus Cemetery. The service will be broadcast live on Gass Haney Funeral Home Facebook page.

Karyn (with a "y") Sue Parks was born on November 1, 1948, in Manhattan, Kansas, to George and Mary Jane (Vance) Wendland. Karyn's family moved to Nebraska when she was young and she attended school in Fairbury, graduating in 1967. Karyn made Columbus her home for over forty years. She worked at TranTec for 25 years, before working at Becton Dickinson for seven years until her retirement.

Karyn was a quiet and faith driven person. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church and served as a Sunday School teacher for many years. Karyn enjoyed classical music, jigsaw puzzles, loved to read, and was a big John Wayne fan. She was also a big fan of the Star Trek and Star Wars series.

Karyn is survived by:
Daughter: Angie (Dennis) Brandenburg of Columbus, NE
Son: Joshua (Crystal Furry) Parks of Columbus, NE
Son: Michael Parks of Lincoln, NE
Grandchildren: Gabrielle (Jose) Graulau; Jordan Parks; Connor Parks
Great Grandchildren: Kendall Karmann; Andres Graulau; Evalis Graulau
Brother: James (Donna) Wendland of Norfolk, NE
Sister: Sally (Dick) Dyer of La Habra Heights, California
Brother: Thomas (Linda) Wendland of Diller, NE
Sister: Rev. Connie Stone of Hobart, New York
Sister: Gayle Kott of Fallbrook, California
Many nieces & nephews and great nieces & great nephews

Karyn was preceded in death by:
Parents: George & Mary Jane Wendland