Stephen Parke

Rev. Stephen (Steve) R. Parke, 64, Pueblo West, CO died May 25, 2018 in Colorado Springs after a brief illness.  He was born December 7, 1953 in WaKeeney, KS to Robert and Barbara (Nemechek) Parke. He was preceded in death by his father Robert, sisters Jean Marie and Gemma, and grandparents Peter and Rose Parke and Steve and Barbara Nemechek.

He graduated from Trego Community High School in WaKeeney 1972.  He earned a B.A. in Psychology from Rockhurst College and a Masters of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.

Steve was ordained a Catholic priest in 1982 and served as Associate Pastor at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Garden City, KS for two years.  The remainder of his professional career was spent ministering to the outcast.  He was a substance abuse counselor, prison chaplain and mental health chaplain, all in Colorado.  He was also a licensed minister with the United Church of Christ.

Steve was a member of Pueblo’s Faith Leaders in Action, Together Colorado, Pueblo Arts Alliance and Pueblo Songwriters and Musicians Association.  He was a published musician and songwriter.  Steve was a board member for the Bukovina Society of America and a member of the Pueblo German American Club.  He had a deep interest in genealogy, especially his family’s Irish, Czech and Bukovina-German roots.

Survivors include his mother Barbara of WaKeeney, KS,; brothers, William (Annette) of Oakley, KS, Patrick of Hays, KS and Brian (Beth) of Colorado Springs, and his sister Margaret (Brad) Schmitt of WaKeeney, KS.

Celebration of Life, 11a.m. Wed. June 6, 2018. Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, 1044 Spruce St. Pueblo, CO. Inurnment Sat. June 9, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at the WaKeeney, KS city cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Gift Foundation of Pueblo to support music education and appreciation in Steve’s name through the funeral home.