Obituary of Stephen David Parkhurst

Dr. Stephen David Parkhurst, 71 of Cloquet passed away on Saturday, May 1, 2021 in St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth with his wife and sister by his side. He was born October 18, 1949 in Stillwater to David and Dorothy Parkhurst. He graduated from Stillwater High School in 1967. In high school he played baseball, was selected to the National Honor Society his Junior year, and led the drum section in Stillwater's highly acclaimed concert band. He was the recipient of the top rating in three years of percussion ensemble and solo performances at state music contests. He was also selected for the percussion section of the All-State Concert Band. His drumming was also the "backbone" of several local rock bands in the 1960's. While a member of the Babes of Paradise, they cut a record which didn't get heard on the radio until 50 years later, when Steve walked into WKLK and asked them to play it, and they did. Steve was active in Boy Scouts in Stillwater with the honorary selection for Order of the Arrow, and attendance at the National Jamboree at Valley Forge in 1964. Steve attended UMD through 1969, where he was a Beta and also led the concert band's percussion section. From there he moved to St. Louis to begin his journey into the health care field. He earned his Doctorate of Chiropractic degree at Logan University in 1973. He then spent one year in an apprenticeship position in Benson, Minn. In October of 1974, Dr. Parkhurst began his chiropractic practice in Cloquet, retiring 37 years later, in 2011. Steve's integrity led him to tailor the care of each of his patients to their individual needs. He served his profession in the Minnesota Chiropractic Association for many years, some as director of the Northeast District. His many years of community service in Kiwanis included Cloquet Club President in 1986. Steve was also a former member of the Jaycees and was awarded the "New Jaycee of the Year" in Benson. In 1983 Steve married Diane Johnson of Cloquet, who shortly thereafter became a co-founder of the Carlton County's Friends of Animals Humane Society. This resulted in Steve's longtime dedicated support of the local animal shelter and animal welfare issues in general. More than a few of the hundred or two needy dogs that they fostered over a 25 year period ended up staying on as beloved family members. Steve was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Diane; his wonderful sister, Ann (Dr. Steven) Wolff of Stillwater; his nephews and their families, Dr. Douglas Wolff of St. Paul, Bradley Wolff of San Francisco, and Dr. Thomas Wolff of Boulder, CO; several cousins; and his beloved rescue animals will miss him terribly. Visitation: 1:00 p.m. until the 3:00 p.m. Memorial Service Saturday, May 8, 2021 in the Atkins Northland Funeral Home, Cloquet. Masks are required. From the funeral home parking lot the service can be heard on FM 98.3. A video recording of the service will be on the funeral home web site Saturday afternoon. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com