Mara Jannae Parkes

Mara Jannae Parkes July, 29, 2005-Novemeber 1, 2026

Mara Jannae Parkes was born on July 29, 2005, on a beautiful sunny Friday to loving parents JoEllen and Adam Parkes, and was surrounded in love by great grandmother Addie Hanson, grandparents Joe and Mary Eells and John Parkes and Jannae Hanson-Parkes.

Mara was a delight to all who knew her, all her life. As a young girl, she was fascinated by boxelder bugs and worms. Her curiosity was stronger than any fear. Her smile lit up any room, and her mischievous spirit sometimes left adults looking for hidden keys and remote controls. She was born in Minneapolis, but at three years of age, the family moved back to the country, where JoEllen had grown up. She went to school in Spring Valley, Wisconsin, where she showed an early interest in music, taking piano lessons as a grade-schooler, but then she found her voice, her beautiful voice, and in middle school, she found an outlet in the choir, where she excelled, performing many solos, competing in state contests, and singing the national anthem at sporting events. She owned any song she decided to sing. She was a natural artist and found a love for ceramics and pottery almost by accident. Any artistic endeavor she attempted was met with success, and with Jeremy Davis and her dad’s help, she learned to play guitar.

Mara was passionate and outspoken, a champion for those society looked down upon, which was not always easy for her, living in a rural community, in the times in which we all live. She spent several summers at a leadership camp in Ripon, Wisconsin, where she enhanced her leadership skills, and of course, made deep connections with other campers. She had an infectious laugh and her “Dude!” could disarm anyone. Her friendships were her backstop and they were deep, exceeded only by her love and devotion to her parents and family. Mara was never content to be idle; from the age of 14 she decided she wanted to work. Her first job at A&W meant many drives to Baldwin by parents and grandparents for drop offs and pickups, and some late-night hijinks when Mara was working the drive through.

She graduated from Spring Valley High School in ’23 and moved to Milwaukee to pursue an independent life. As was typical, Mara made strong connections with friends who were central to her life, both in Spring Valley and Milwaukee. She loved animals, she loved music, she loved people, she had dreams of owning her own coffee shop. Her adventurous, independent spirit drew so many people to her, we all are heartbroken and devastated by her absence, but we will forever hold her memory close to our hearts.

She is survived by her parents, Adam and JoEllen; her grandparents on both sides; uncles Deacon Eells and Aaron Parkes, and his fiancée Sarah Melina; aunts Katie Eells, Alison Wagner, Jackie Eells; and cousins Lianka Parkes and Lila Eells; and many other extended family members who knew and loved her.

The service details are as follows: O’Connell Family Funeral Home, S604 Plant Street, Spring Valley WI. Visitation starting at 11:00 AM, Saturday, November 7, 2026, and a Celebration of Life Service, followed by lunch at the Spring Valley Community Center at 1:30 PM, at S242 McKay Ave, Spring Valley, WI. Memorials should be addressed to Adam and JoEllen Parkes, N8408 County Rd. BB, Spring Valley WI 54767.

Arrangements are entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Spring Valley. For more information or to share a memory, please visit www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com or call 715-778-5501.