Nani Parker, 71, of Red Wing, passed away peacefully at home after an 11-month battle with glioblastoma on Saturday, September 12, 2026. It is with our own selfishness and sadness that we did not want her to leave, but we are happy to know she is now reunited with her “boys” John and Matthew, the loves of her life.

Nani was born on August 20, 1955, to Don and Clover Cohen in Honolulu, Hawaii, where she grew up with her Hawaiian family and friends. After her graduation from Radford High School, Nani found herself on the mainland. It was

at a wedding of mutual friends where Nani met John Parker and he met his “little surfer girl”. The two were married in 1974 and made their home in Red Wing. They were blessed with one son, Matthew. Nani started her 30-year career as a beautician, owning and operating The Barbers for several years, and ending her career with a chair at Sheer Perfection. Her natural warmth, charisma and style made her an excellent beautician, many of her clients becoming life-long friends.

John and Nani loved spending time on the river, entertaining with friends and family and were greatly involved with Matthew’s activities and undertakings.

Nani was proud of her Hawaiian heritage and culture. Her trips back to the islands were many, often spending as much of the winter there as she could. She loved visiting her family there, and having them over, so she could cook, entertain and enjoy the sunsets together.

Nani cherished her time with her Tuesday Golf Girls, even with her illness, she was able to do a few ride-a-longs in the cart. And it was maybe even mutual love of golf that found Nani to her second husband, Ken Walsh. After John’s death in 2017, it seemed unlikely that there would be anyone else in her life until a friendship with Ken developed. Nani and Ken were married on September 18, 2026, and the love and care Ken has given her through her illness was tremendous. In their short time together, they traveled to Hawaii, enjoyed time with family and friends and spending the evenings winding down on the back patio.

Nani was a thoughtful, giving and generous woman who was blessed in friendships. The outpouring of love and care shown to her these past few months was tremendous and truly appreciated!

Nani is survived by her husband, Ken Walsh; two brothers, Jeffrey (Gigi) and Mark Cohen; many nieces and nephews and all of her Hawaiian ohana and so many dear friends who she cherished and loved. Though she never had any daughters, she embraced a handful of women who truly became like her daughters and through them, she received whole gaggle of kids who lovingly referred to her as “Tutu Nani” which is grandmother in Hawaiian.

Nani is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John and son, Matthew; sister, Jennifer Cohen and her son’s dog Belle, who was a true companion to Nani after Matthew’s death.

A Hui Hou, Nani (until we meet again)!

Funeral service for Nani will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at the church of St. Jospeh. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Monday, September 21, at the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and for one hour prior to the service at the church. A celebration of Nani’s life will continue after the funeral at the Red Wing Golf Course. Memorials are preferred to the Red Wing ELC or Mayo Hospice. A live-stream of the service will be available.