Lynnell Rae Parrott, age 89, passed away June 12, 2025, at Monument Health Rapid City Hospital.  A celebration of life will be held on June 28, 2025, at First Congregational Church, 1200 Clark Street, Rapid City at 10:30 a.m.  Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m, and a light lunch will be provided after the service before a private family burial at Mountain View.

Born on August 6, 1935, Lynnell was raised in Newell, SD, with her parents Raymond Chester and Ruby Althea (Jackson) Johnson and brother Larry.  She graduated from Newell High at age 16 and then graduated from Black HIlls Teachers College (now Black Hills State University) in 1956, with a degree in Elementary and Business Education.  She taught at Lead High School for a year and then married Charles Alden Parrott on May 28, 1957.  They lived in Seattle, WA, and Denver, CO, where she taught junior high.

She and Charles returned to Rapid City in 1960, when he started graduate school.  After having three children, Lynnell taught secretarial sciences and business at National College.  She served on the Board of the Rapid City Teachers Credit Union (now Highmark Credit Union).  She also served on the First Congregational Church's trust board and music committees.

Lynnell completed an MBA from the University of South Dakota in 1982.  She became the Financial Aid Director at Western Dakota Technical Vocational Institute until retiring in 1997.  Charles Parrott died in 1993; she later married Charles Knowlton.  They were married from 1999 to 2022.

Lynnell was a musician throughout her life.  She began serving as a church organist in 1963, first at Canyon Lake Methodist and later at First Congregational Church, where she studied with Zona White and eventually became Principal Organist.  She retired as Principal Organist in 2011 but continued as Organist Emerita to play for weddings or special performances.  Lynnell accompanied instrumental and vocal soloists and groups at various schools and performance venues around Rapid City.   Lynnell played the clarinet with the New Horizons Band and accompanied and sang with Village Voices at West Hills.

Lynnell is preceded in death by her husband Charles Parrott, her daughter Linda Parrott, and her second husband Charles Knowlton.  She is survived by her brother Larry Johnson of North Attleboro, MA,  children Lori Parrott of Albuquerque, NM,  and David Parrott of Denver, CO, grandchildren Sarah Myers, Ryen Ormesher, Eryn Ormesher, and Charlie Parrott, and many dear cousins, nieces, and nephews.   All of us will fondly remember her care for family and friends and her unlimited enthusiasm for camping and excursions in the Black HIlls.

Memorial donations in Lynnell's name can be donated to Black Hills Works Foundation.