Margaret Starks

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Margaret Mae Starks, 91, of Miller, peacefully completed her journey and gracefully met her Savior on Monday, March 22, 2021 at her home.

A funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 26, 2021 at the United Methodist Church, Miller, Rev. Brian Jones, officiating.  A burial will follow at the G.A.R. Cemetery, Miller.  A visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, March 25, 2021 followed by a prayer service, all at the church.  Masks are required at all services.

For those unable to attend, the funeral service will be livestreamed on the funeral home website.

Margaret Mae (Parmely) Starks was born to Ferrill and Mabel (Campbell) Parmely on August 21, 1929. She attended Hiland Township grade school where she met a young, handsome fella by the name of Richard Starks. He made it well known he was to be called Dick. She graduated from Miller High School in 1946 at the age of sixteen. She went on to attend college in Aberdeen, earning a primary grade teaching certificate. She taught school at the Pearl, Bates, and Hiland Townships, where she taught some of her siblings.

Dick lost his shyness, finally proposing to Margaret. They were married October 14, 1949. To this union were born eight unique, smart, witty, exuberant, shy, creative children. As you can see, there were no dull moments in the Starks' household. They farmed in Hand County until the end of 1957, moving to Valentine, Nebraska in January, 1958.

Margaret was a devoted caregiver to Frank and Bessie Mullin, Dick’s aunt and uncle, who resided with the family until their death. Shortly thereafter, four foster children joined the family of eight for several years. Through Margaret’s faith, she endured the tragic death of Dick at the age of 43, and three of her children later in life.

Margaret made the move to Miller in 1974 with Vonn, Terrill, and Tammie. She taught Sunday School for several years and did kitchen service at funerals.

She took advantage of various part time work opportunities which included First National Bank, Miller Livestock, Pierson Greenhouse, and substitute teaching as well as working in the Miller School lunchroom.

She thoroughly enjoyed playing cards at the senior center, and spending time with family and friends. She loved going to school activities, karaoke, dancing, league bowling, and was an avid baseball fan. She thoroughly enjoyed her Mountain Dew and Peanut M&M's- well, actually, All candy.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Leonda (Larry) Anglin, Lafran (Rodger) Preble, Stavan Starks, Vonn Starks, Tammie (Bob) Waldrop; daughters-in-law: Joann Starks, Barbara Starks; and son-in-law, Steve Hendershot; seventeen grandchildren, twenty-seven great grandchildren; sisters: Mildred (Lowell) Engel, Marles Dean, and Beth (Jack) Engel; in-laws: Ellen Parmely, Genevieve Parmely, Gene Swaney, Pat Starks, and Margaret Starks; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Waiting for her at Heaven’s gates are her husband, Dick; children: Surn, Crain, and Terrill; her parents, Ferrill and Mabel Parmely; siblings and siblings-in-law: Wayne Parmely, Viola (June) Ford, Roger Dean, Clark (Ruby) Parmely, Otis (Natalie) Parmely, Wydell Parmely, James Parmely, Lenarda Swaney, Bob Starks, Clarence Starks, Dorie (Del) Olson, Tom Starks, and Mae (Milton) Schmidt.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Margaret's arrangements.