Elizabeth "Itty" Newgord

Elizabeth "Itty" Newgord, 73 year old resident of Brainerd, MN passed away Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at Edgewood Vista Assisted Living in Brainerd, MN. Funeral will be held at 12:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at the First Congregational Church UCC in Brainerd, MN. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 7 from 4-7 P.M and from 11:00AM until 12:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 8 all at the First Congregational Church UCC in Brainerd, MN. Caring for Itty and her family is the Halvorson-Taylor Funeral Home in Brainerd, MN.

Itty was born on November 21, 1951, in Faribault, MN, to the late John and Mary (Abrahamson) Parker. She grew up in Faribault and graduated from Faribault High School with the Class of 1970. She then attended Normandale Community College for a year before transferring to St. Cloud State University, where she earned her degree in education.

While at Normandale, she met the love of her life, James Newgord, and they were united in marriage on August 23, 1975, in Faribault. Itty dedicated her life to education, working with children and individuals with special needs. She started her career at the Day Activity Center in St. Cloud, where she met her son, Tony, whom she and James later adopted. She later worked as an occupational skills coach at Central Lakes College in Brainerd, where she eventually retired.

Itty had a passion for music, especially jazz and blues, and loved to sing. She found great joy in feeding and watching birds and enjoyed countless camping and motorcycling trips with her husband and family. She was an active volunteer, deeply involved with the Sons of Norway and the First Congregational UCC in Brainerd, MN. Known for her quick wit and infectious laughter, she had a gift for bringing joy to those around her.

An avid thrifter and garage sale enthusiast, Itty was truly a “shopping queen.” Her fun-loving spirit was recognized even in her later years, as she was crowned the Dairy Queen at Edgewood Vista in Brainerd.

Itty is survived by son, Tony Newgord; grandchildren, Preston (Jada) Newgord and Austin (Kylie) Newgord; siblings, Susan Parker, Cindy (Lloyd) McCormick and Kathy White; great-grandchildren, Everleigh, Addaleah, Paislee and Crew Newgord.

She was preceded in death by parents, John and Mary Parker and husband, James Newgord.