Dean Stark, 83

May 29, 1939 —
Jan. 29, 2023
 
RICEVILLE - Dean Stark, age 83 of Riceville, Iowa, passed away on Jan. 29, 2023 at Evans Memorial Home in Cresco, Iowa. 
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023 at First Congregational Church of Christ in Riceville, with visitation from 3-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023 at Lindstrom Funeral Home in Riceville and again one hour prior to services on Thursday morning at the church. Lindstrom Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 
Dean Thomas Stark was born on May 29, 1939 to Roy and Myrtle (Torney) Stark. He was born on the family farm, that has stayed in the family for 121 years and was farmed by Dean since the late 1950s.
He was baptized in the First Congregational Church in Riceville and remained a member there until his death. 
He graduated from Riceville High School in 1957. In 1958 he attended Iowa State University for the winter quarter course in agriculture. He joined the Army Reserves and served for six years, receiving an award for his duties as a clerk. 
Dean married Helen Louvar on Jan. 28, 1961, and to this union, three children were born. The couple farmed for 60 years on the family farm. He served as a 4-H Leader, was on the Howard County Extension Service Committee, Farm Bureau Board member and then later was president, Riceville School Board and Co-op Oil Company Board member. For 48 years, he served as chairman of the Riceville First Congregational Church. In January 2021, the couple moved to the Cresco Assisted Living.
Dean was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His passion was farming, and his hobbies were following the Iowa Hawkeyes and woodworking. He never missed an opportunity to visit with family, friends and neighbors. 
Dean is survived by his wife of 62 years, Helen; daughter, Susan (Steve) Busta of Lawler, Iowa and four grandchildren, Matthew (Kelly) Busta, Natalie (Chris) Niedbalski, Carrie Busta and Sarah (Kelby Reicks) Busta; daughter-in-law, Laura Stark, two step-grandsons, Joe (Amber) Koenigs and Tony (Lynsey Nachazel) Koenigs, four great-grandchildren, Annelise and Rosalie Busta and Maisy and Owen Niedbalski and three step-great-grandchildren, Lexi, Lilly and Alan Koenigs; a brother-in-law, Darrell Soper; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his sons, Larry and Greg; his parents, Roy and Myrtle; brothers and sisters-in-law, Kenneth (Mary J.) Stark and Harold (Mary E.) Stark; sister-in-law, Barbara Soper; and a nephew, Mark Soper. 
 

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

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