Jennifer Parks, 75, of Gatewood, MO, passed away Monday, October 5, 2026. Born August 9, 1951, in Canova, SD, she was the daughter of the late Richard Parks Davison and Dorothy Carolyn Hart Davison. 

A brilliant mind who marched to the beat of her own drum, Jennifer earned an AA in Illustration (RMCAD), a BA in Psychology/Neuroscience (CU Denver), and a Master’s in Psychology (Regis University). She was an eccentric, fiercely independent soul who loved nature, her horses, and her cats, and was a proud member of the DAR Peace Pipe Chapter in Denver.

She is survived by her children, Kristi Kay Westergard (Jeff) and Ryan Kenneth Thompson (and the late Erin Thompson); sisters, Alice Miller (Sid) and Candi Birdsong (Travis); 3 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and former spouse, Ken Thompson. 

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Richard Lee Davison. 

A celebration of life will be held Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2:00 PM at the Redman Creek Recreation Area on Lake Wappapello.