Lynn Park
June 18, 1950 ~ February 23, 2025
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Lynn Park died Sunday, February 23, 2025, after a two year battle with cancer. Born in Topeka, Kansas, June 18, 1950, she is predeceased by her parents, Charles Keith Gustin and Marilyn J Gustin. Lynn is survived by her husband of 57 years, Derek, her daughter, Michelle Powell (Jon) and her granddaughter, Hannah Joy Powell. Also surviving are her sister, Marta Huey (Jack) and her brother, Charles Keith Gustin II (Mary Sue).
Lynn and Derek met in kindergarten and were in third grade together in Overland Park, Kansas. Lynn and her family moved to a nearby location and she reconnected with Derek at Shawnee Mission West High School where they were both students. They fell in love, married and had their daughter, Michelle. Lynn and Derek worked to put themselves through their higher education schooling. Lynn attended Hutchinson Community Junior College after they moved to Hutchinson, Kansas. She then graduated from Wichita State University with an accounting degree. She passed her CPA exam setting the state record for high score that year. After working for two CPA firms, Lynn, along with Derek and two partners, purchased a division of Farmland Industries where Derek worked in 1983. Lynn and Derek and the two partners formed a new company, PMS Foods, Inc., and took a continual ribbing on the name, but successfully operated the company until its sale in February 2002. By then they had built their beach home in Galveston, Texas and had intended to retire to the beach. Michelle interrupted those plans with the birth of their granddaughter, Hannah. Lynn was an avid traveler and cruiser, traveling to all 7 continents, all 50 states and over 80 countries around the world. She particularly enjoyed the smaller luxury cruise ships and would take multiple cruises any given year. Lynn was a beautiful, brilliant, accomplished, generous and loving woman. She will be missed by all who were fortunate to know her and were able to share her life.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the charity of your choice in memory of Lynn or a contribution to the Kansas Humane Society, 3313 N Hillside, Wichita, KS 67219 or the Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555 W Zoo Blvd., Wichita, KS 67212.
Services in care of Downing & Lahey West Mortuary.
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We shared being crushed when liver was taken off the menu at the Candle Club. Lynn and Derek introduced, and shared, many very fine bottles of wine. Lynn made my life better with her wit, wisdom, generosity, sense of humor. I miss her and cannot imagine the hole in your hearts with her death. Love to you all.
I have known Lynn for at least four decades. From the moment we met, her laughter & beautiful smile were always a part of any time we spent with her & Derek, even as she strived to keep Derek in line. So much laughter & fun with both of them, especially on our trips to Tahoe. We skied & she “beat the house” at the casino table. Anyone who knew Lynn knows she was a very intelligent & accomplished lady whose heart knew no bounds. Her smile was contagious. I will miss you, knowing that I cannot see you again in this life, you were indeed one who sowed seeds of goodness & kindness wherever you walked. My heart goes out to Derek & Michelle & Hannah.
Love you Lynn.
Penny R.
We love you Lynn. Youre kind and caring ways has touched us all. Derek, we are thinking of you. We love you and are praying you.
I was an employee at PMS foods when my son was in a head on collision. He was in a coma for days with many injuries including a severe brain injury. The Parks graciously provided a motel room so we could be close to Wesley Hospital in Wichita, since we lived 50 miles away in Buhler. They also paid my time off through that long ordeal. I know that it was Lynn who was responsible for the kind treatment the PMS Foods Company gave us. I was just an employee that had a desperate need and God provided it to us through Lynn. The way she treated me and other of her employees brings to mind a scripture in the Bible – Mathew Chapter 20.
31 “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, just as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?
40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you’ Lynn, ‘did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me.’
That was who Lynn was for us at PMS Foods. She was the giving heart of the company. May she be remembered in eternity.
NOTE: Our son is now a pastor in a little church in Arkansas.
Arne
Lynn was my immediate supervisor for nearly 20 years at PMS Foods. She was brilliant and very admired. Always kind and willing to help. I am so sorry to hear this news. My thoughts are with Derek and Michelle and family.