Two Inaugural Winners of the Butch Parks Memorial Scholarship for the Trades Announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 26th, 2026

For more information contact:

Debbie Parks

Owner, Parks Marina

debbie@parksmarina.com

Two Inaugural Winners of the Butch Parks Memorial Scholarship for the Trades Announced

OKOBOJI, Iowa — The inaugural recipients of the Butch Parks Memorial Scholarship for the Trades have been announced, honoring the legacy, passion, and dedication that Butch Parks brought to the trades industry and the local community.

Established in memory of Parks, the scholarship supports graduating students pursuing careers in the trades or vocational fields after high school. This year, one recipient was selected from both the Okoboji Community School District and the Spirit Lake Community School District — each with ties to the Parks Marina and Barefoot Bar family.

From the Okoboji Community School District, the selected recipient is Dulce Ortega. Ortega plans to attend Iowa Lakes Community College to pursue a career as a dietician. During the summer months, Ortega has been a valued member of the Barefoot Bar team, working in the Shirt Shack while bringing positive energy each day and helping create an outstanding customer experience for guests.

Representing the Spirit Lake Community School District is Nolan Theesefeld. Nolan plans to enter the workforce immediately after graduation with the goal of becoming a journeyman electrician. He also spent several years working with the Barefoot Bar team as a barback from 2022 through 2024.

About the Butch Parks Memorial Scholarship for the Trades:

The employees and family of Butch Parks established this scholarship to honor the life and legacy of a beloved entrepreneur, visionary, mentor, husband, father, friend, and employer.

Butch attended refrigeration and air-conditioning school before working a variety of jobs, including farming, delivering milk door-to-door, working in a meat processing plant, and even peeling potatoes at Mike’s Fisherman’s Wharf. He had a lifelong passion for speed and snowmobiling, and after a racing accident resulted in the loss of his leg, he remained determined to push forward.

In 1983, Butch purchased Gibson Sporting Goods, now known as Parks Marina, and built a legacy that would leave a lasting impact on the marine industry and the Iowa Great Lakes community. Throughout his life, he employed thousands of young people and led with the values he believed defined success: Values, Enthusiasm, Discipline, and Endurance.

Under his leadership, the business earned national recognition and became a respected leader in the marine industry. More importantly, Butch built a life centered on family, community, and the people who worked alongside him. He believed strongly in giving back to the community that supported him and helping future generations pursue their goals through hard work and opportunity.

Butch often said he achieved success the “old-fashioned way” — through hard work.

To learn more about how to contribute to the Butch Parks Memorial Scholarship for the Trades and about scholarship qualifications, visit www.parksmarina.com or contact marketing@parksmarina.com.