Parma Marilyn Kersten

Her devoted husband Jerry Kersten unexpectedly passed in his sleep the evening before. A combined celebration of life service will be held at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Grand Prairie, Texas. Parma and Jerry will both be interred at the Dallas – Fort Worth National Ceremony in honor of their service to our country.

Parma Marilyn Kersten was born to the late John and Velma in 1935. After high school, she studied nursing and was recruited into the Nurse Army Corps in 1964 where she served for over a decade. She was stationed at several sites in the U.S. and abroad including the Dominican Republic, Japan and Vietnam. She earned the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement in a combat zone, along with several other honors before retiring from service in 1976 with the rank of major.

Parma joined Lutheran Bible Translators and headed to Liberia in 1979 where she met her daughters Emily and Judy who she adopted shortly after and brought to the U.S. Upon returning from Liberia, Parma worked as a registered nurse until 1998. Throughout her retirement, Parma kept active with part-time work, church and volunteer activities. She enjoyed sewing and crafts and often made gifts for others.

Parma met the love of her life, Jerry Kersten, at New Life in Christ (NLIC) Lutheran Church in Duncanville, Texas, where they both sang in the choir, and were married a year later. While at NLIC, Parma also volunteered during worship services, served on the Church Council and taught Sunday school and vacation Bible school. Parma and Jerry volunteered at the Synod Assembly every year and were mostly recently active members of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Parma became a Parish Lay Minister in 2004 and served in several leadership roles with her Synod organizaions. She and Jerry enjoyed participating in the Goldenaires choir, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, performing plays at the senior center, reading and visiting with family. They made wonderful trips together to Mexico, Australia, and Europe.

After her PLS diagnosis, she received support through the Dallas VA ALS Clinic, from home health aides, from Jerry and family and friends, until she needed hospice care. Parma was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jerry; parents John and Velma; brothers John, Richard, Thomas, Edward, and Robert, and sister Treva.

Parma is survived by daughters Emily and Judy, her sister Gleda (Bill), several nieces and nephews, and many dear friends and “adopted” grandchildren who she considered family.

Sydni Massey summarized Parma’s life and legacy perfectly in Southwest NOW Magazine when she wrote, “She has cared for the injured as a nurse in the Army, served the people of Liberia as a translator, adopted two girls to give them a chance at a better education, and ministered to those in the community of Duncanville. She has lived a life devoted to caring for the bodies, minds, and souls of this world.”

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Grand Prairie, Texas (https://www.ourredeemergp.org/), or to one of the following charitable causes supported by Parma and Jerry:

Lutheran World Relief (https://lwr.org/)

Lutheran Bible Translators (https://lbt.org/)

Women of the ELCA, Katie’s Fund (https://www.womenoftheelca.org/)

Paralyzed Veterans of America (https://pva.org/)

Habitat for Humanity (https://www.habitat.org/)

Feeding America (https://www.feedingamerica.org/)