Janet Parke

Janet Savage Parke of Drummond Montana passed away June 18, 2025 in Missoula Montana. Janet was 72 years old and surrounded by her family as she left this earthly existence.

Janet was born October 10, 1952 in Billings Montana. She was the 6th of 9 children born to Herbert and Jennie Savage. Bert and Jennie, along with Bert’s brothers ranched together so Janet was always surrounded by cousins. The Savage family moved around to different ranches. Janet spent her younger years in Sumatra Montana ...a long way from anywhere. In 1959 Janet’s family moved to Lancaster, California. The big Savage families moved back to Montana in 1963 and this time chose to settle for a time in Whitehall. The school district had to get a separate bus just to pick up the 37 Savage children that went to school there. In 1964 the family moved to a ranch just outside of Hall, Montana. This is where Janet met the love of her life, her cowboy, Charles Parke. She got her first kiss from Charlie on Friday, October the 13th, 1967. Friday the 13th was her favorite day from then on.

I’m sure she was saddened when the family, in 1969, moved back to Billings, Montana. This is where Janet graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1970. In 1971 Charlie went to Billings and brought his Sweetie back to Drummond where they were married April 3, 1971. Janet and Charlie lived on the ranch in New Chicago for a few months before moving to Tyler Creek and running that ranch.

It was here at Tyler Creek that their first child, Charles Eaf Parke, was born on February 22, 1972. Just 11 short months later, January 26, 1973, their second son, Adam Roland Parke joined the family. Grant Todd Parke came along May 20, 1975. Although Janet loved her sons very much, she so very badly wanted a daughter. On January 14, 1977 Amy Renee Parke was born and their family was complete. Janet and Charlie wanted a large family but were told it wouldn’t be a good idea to have any more children. At this time it would be the start of health issues that plagued Janet until she left us. In 1979, Janet and Charlie moved back to the ranch at New Chicago and are still living there today. Apparently the Savage moving bug didn't get passed on to them.

Janet loved her kids more than anything and was always involved in their school, church, 4-H and sporting activities. She wasn’t just a mother to her own but to many others as well. There was hardly a weekend, when her kids got older, that she didn’t have a houseful of kids. Janet spent her early marriage helping hay and gathering cows on horseback. When her health was such that she couldn’t be a “ranch hand” anymore, she made wedding cakes, enjoyed painting on canvas and ceramics, baking, traveling to see family and planning vacations. Charlie would show up from working away from home all week, and Janet had all the things he needed ready, so that he could take the Scouts on their campouts. She could pretty much do anything.

Janet was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and exemplified the gospel’s teachings in her everyday life. She spent 6 or 7 years teaching early morning seminary for the youth in Drummond. She also served in the Young Women program, the Relief Society, in the primary and as a cub scout leader. She also served in the Stake Young Women with her cousin, Margaret. Janet was a shining light and an example to everyone who had the opportunity to know her. She has been described as an angel, best of the best, loving, feisty and celestial material.

One of Janet’s greatest blessings and joys were her 17 grandchildren, 7 bonus grandchildren, and come November, 7 great-grandchildren. Grammy, as she was so affectionately called by her Grandkids and numerous others, was her favorite role and title. She was and still is their biggest cheerleader.

Janet is preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Jennie Savage; siblings, Ronnie and Alan Savage and Annette Foulger. She is survived by her husband Charlie Parke and children; Eaf (Tiffany) Parke, Adam (Quinn) Parke, Grant (Lyndy) Parke, Amy (Kurt) Covert, grandkids and great-grandkids.

Funeral services will be held June 28, 2025 at the Drummond LDS Church. The viewing will be at 10:00 am followed by the service at 11:00. Interment will be immediately after at the Valley Cemetery. Please join us for a luncheon back at the church. For those not able to attend, the service can be viewed via Zoom. The meeting ID is 967 4657 3720 and the passcode is 726481.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your church or a humanitarian effort/fund