Kristene Louise Ward was born on November 28, 1947, in Nyssa, Oregon, to Sam Parks and Dottie Booth. She was the oldest of seven children and lovingly embraced her role as big sister to Becky, Darla, Darcie, Candy, Paula, and Tim. From childhood through all the seasons of their lives, Kris and her siblings shared a deep bond built on laughter, support, and a fierce love for one another. Their closeness was a constant source of joy and strength in her life, and she cherished every moment spent together with her family. She attended Nyssa High School, where she met the love of her life, Mark Ward. The high school sweethearts went on to build a beautiful life together and were blessed with three children, Michelle, Todd, and Brittany. Their family grew over the years to include nine grandchildren — Blaine, Jordan, Kirsten, Stephen, Samantha, Sully, Destiny, Aiden, and JayCee — as well as many adored great-grandchildren. Family was her greatest joy and she poured her heart into them. Kris enjoyed a long and successful career with the Owyhee Irrigation District, where she worked for 42 years. Through her job, she became well known throughout our small rural community for her extensive knowledge and reliability. Generations of farmers, families, and colleagues all came to trust her insight, and she was deeply respected by her peers for her wisdom and sage advice. Her dedication to her work and the people she served left a lasting impact on the community. She was a woman of God and her faith was always at the very center of her life. It showed in the way she poured herself into the church. She was always the first to volunteer and the last to leave, especially when there was cooking or decorating to be done. She loved to make things feel warm and welcoming and she had a special way of turning simple moments into something beautiful. She didn’t just serve, she loved people through every meal she prepared, every table she decorated, and every smile she shared. Through Bible study groups and church activities, she met and made many dear friends whom she adored, and who adored her in return. The whole congregation loved her deeply, and her presence, kindness, and faithful heart touched more lives than she ever knew. On November 28, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with late-stage cancer, Kris went home to be with the Lord. She faced every step of her illness with remarkable strength and unshakable faith. She passed at home, surrounded by the love of her family. Though her absence will be deeply felt, her loved ones take comfort in knowing she is truly home in heaven and at peace, reunited with her beloved husband, her son, and other family and friends.