Kathryn Parriott

Kathryn Marie (Evenson) Parriott peacefully entered her heavenly home on September 3, 2026 at the age of 95. She had been living at the Thorne Crest Senior Living Community in Albert Lea, MN for five years when she went to be with her Lord and Savior.

 

Kathryn was born on August 4, 1931 in rural New Richland, Minnesota, the daughter of Alice (Sunde) and Art Evenson. She grew up on farms in the St. Olaf Lake area with her parents and six siblings. She was baptized and confirmed at Le Sueur River Lutheran Church, where she also attended church and Sunday school.

 

As a young girl, Kathryn survived polio, which affected her ability to walk. After one summer of being able only to crawl, God restored her health and strength.

 

Kathryn graduated from New Richland High School in 1949, and soon after moved to Owatonna to begin work as a secretary at Federated Insurance, where she was employed for 11 years.

 

In 1961, Kathryn married her high school classmate, Earl Parriott, who was farming with his family west of New Richland after his return from Europe, being stationed there during his service in the Army. They made their home on this farm for the next 60 years, where they raised crops, hogs, and their three children: Jayne, Julie, and Mark.

 

Kathryn was a full-time homemaker, mom, and “farm hand.” She did the daily chores, fed the pigs, mowed the lawn, cared for all the family pets, raised vegetable and flower gardens, cooked every meal and kept up the house.

 

Kathryn was a very dedicated member of the First Congregational Church in New Richland. Her faith and her Church were a constant in her life, and many of her activities centered around her church, including Church Choir, teaching Sunday school and Bible school, holding offices in her church unit and Women’s Fellowship, and enjoying outings with the Couples Club.

 

Besides all her church activities and getting all three kids to their church and school events, Kathryn found time to serve her community. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels, Telecare, and Bingo at the Care Center, United Fund of Byron Township, and was a member of the Women’s Legion Auxiliary.

 

Kathryn loved and enjoyed family-centered activities most of all. Grandchildren’s visits to the farm, attending their school and sports events brought her joy, as did visiting with all her siblings in person or on the phone, enjoying suppers, coffee parties and “sweets” with lifelong farm neighbors and friends and with her many beloved Norwegian relatives and cousins. She loved to visit and laugh. Kathryn was a wonderful baker of “sweets” and always had some on hand for company. She was an avid reader, who loved books and frequented the New Richland Library.

 

Kathryn is survived by her daughters Jayne (George) Jessen, Julie Peterson, and son Mark (Sara) Parriott. Grandchildren Christopher (Shannon) Jessen, Claire (Ty) McDevitt, Morgan (Diana) Parriott, Griffin (Taylor) Parriott. Great-grandchildren Jackson, Jordan, and Jett Jessen, Mila and Max McDevitt, and Luna Parriott. Her sister Joanne Cherrington and brother Charles Evenson.

 

Kathryn joined her loved ones who went before her: her husband of 60 years, Earl Parriott, her parents Arthur and Alice Evenson, in-laws Leo and Clara Parriott, brothers Roger, Winston and Ellsworth Evenson, sister Eilene Johnson and Tom Collins.

 

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home in Albert Lea, MN. A visitation will be held from 9:30-11 a.m. prior to the service. Pastor Brian Wasmoen will officiate.

 

Memorials may be made to the New Richland Public Library or the New Richland Area Historical Society.

 

The family extends their sincere thanks and appreciation to the entire Thorne Crest Community and staff for their dedicated care, kindness, and friendship given to Kathryn during the five years she called Thorne Crest “Home.” Your compassionate care gave us peace of mind.