Charles Duane "Dewey" Parrish, age 93, died peacefully on November 27, 2024 surrounded by his family.

A celebration of Dewey's life will be held at Trinity Methodist Church in Beaver Dam, WI on Friday December 6th. Visitation will be from 10:30 to 12:00 pm with the funeral service immediately following. Private burial will take place at Blooming Grove United Methodist Church, Morristown, MN at a future date.  A livestream of the funeral service can be found here: https://www.trinityumbd.org/onlineworship

Dewey was born on his family farm in Blooming Grove, MN, on December 2, 1930, the son of Charles Benjamin Parrish and Norma Augusta (Studer) Parrish. He graduated from Waseca High School in June 1948, and worked on the farm for a year after graduation. Dewey then attended Gustavus Adolphus College for a year and a half before enlisting in the Army. During the Korean War, Dewey spent time overseas stationed in the Philippines.

While in the Army, Dewey started to correspond with the future love of his life, Patricia "Pat" Mabel Madsen of Upsala, MN. The couple met through their older sisters who were both attending nursing school in Minneapolis, MN. Dewey and Pat were married on June 18, 1952, and started their life together in St. Peter, MN, where Dewey finished college at Gustavus Adolphus and they welcomed the first of their six children, Cynthia in 1955.

Upon graduation from college, Dewey and Pat moved to Park Rapids, MN. There Dewey taught Physical Education and Science at the local high school, founded the wrestling program (coaching his team at the Minnesota State Championship) and welcomed five more children: Charles, Craig, Cheryl, Cary, and Caron.

In 1963, the family moved to Caledonia, MN, where Dewey started working for Charles E. Merrill Publishing Company selling textbooks to schools. In 1965, the family moved once more to Beaver Dam, WI, where Dewey and Pat resided since.

Dewey was a gifted singer and loved music. He fondly remembered his days singing in the barbershop quartet, the G-Flats. He continued his musical pursuits while in the church choir at Trinity United Methodist Church, where he was an active member since 1965. He instilled his passion for music to each of his six children.

Dewey loved the outdoors, gardening, and cooking. He shared this love of nature with his family and friends, going on camping trips, annual fishing excursions to Canada and deer hunting trips to his land in northern Wisconsin. Dewey planted a garden in his backyard each year, incorporating the fresh produce in his kitchen and his love of cooking.

Dewey and Pat travelled the world together, they visited Denmark, England, Germany, Spain, the Caribbean and sailed the Baltic Sea. He and Pat took the six children to Hawaii and the World's Fair in Montreal in 1967. In addition, they cherished the time they spent as snowbirds each winter in Destin, Florida, where they met many life-long friends, bridge partners and golf companions. Dewey golfed throughout his life – and he scored an 84 at the age of 91!

Dewey is survived by his wife of 72 years, Pat. His brothers Bruce and Lowell and sister, Annette. His six children, Cynthia A. (Parrish) Zozakiewicz of Grafton, WI; Charles A. Parrish (Roxanne) of Attleboro, MA; Craig A. Parrish (Birgitte) of Alleroed, Denmark; Cheryl A. (Parrish) Jordan (Mitchell) of McFarland, WI; Cary A. Parrish (Nelida) of Norwalk, CA; Caron A. (Parrish) Nowell (Marvin) of Charlotte, NC. His legacy lives on in his fourteen grandchildren (Carissa, Brandon, Christina, Caitlin, Charles Benjamin, Mark, Aaron, Cory, Cary Ann, Steven, Casy, Benjamin, Kevin, and Lily), and thirteen great-grandchildren (Colton, Cameryn, Cecelia, Finley, Victor, Mathilda, Freya, Eleanor, Charles Everett, Lucille, Greta, Valentinus, and Henri). Further survived by two AFS exchange students, Andrea (Germany) and Mary (MA) and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Norma, brother Stanley and sister Donna and other relatives and friends.

The family would like to thank Agrace Hospice Care for their compassion and support, with a special thanks to Heidi and Chrissy.

Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Beaver Dam is honored to be serving the family.