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Richard B. Starr

Posted 2016-05-04 by Sharla
The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona
Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Former Wickenburg resident Richard B. Starr, 85, passed away on Sunday, May 1, at St. Benedict’s Short Stay in St. Cloud, Minn. Visitation will be Thursday, May 5, from 5 -7 p.m. and also one hour prior to the service.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 6, at 11 a.m. Both will be held at Dare’s Funeral Home 805 Main St. NW Elk River, MN 55330. www.daresfuneralservice.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dare's Funeral Service

Richard B Starr
February 01, 1931 ~ May 01, 2016

Starr, Richard B Age 85, of Big Lake, MN (formally of Wickenburg, AZ) passed away on May 1, 2016.

Richard was born the sixth child of Claude and Lillian (Smith) Starr on February 1, 1931 in Flandreau, SD. During his youth, the family moved to Walker, MN where he attended Walker High School and graduated in 1949. He attended Bemidji State Teachers College and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in June 1953.

Along the way he met Alta Jeane Spitchke, the two began a long distance courtship. After graduation he volunteered for the draft and spent two years in the US Army, serving in the Korean War. He was released from his military duty three months early, in order to attend graduate school at the University of North Dakota. Immediately following graduation, he married Alta Jeane on August 11th 1956. The newlyweds moved to Glendive Montana, where they began their life together.

Richard started his career teaching ninth grade Algebra and freshman college math, at Dawson County High School and Junior College. In 1959, he moved his growing family back to Minnesota where he taught math at Robbinsdale Senior High School. In 1960, he received an offer as the Dean of Dawson County Junior College, moving once again back to Glendive Montana. Eight years later he moved his family of 7 back to Minnesota, settling in Princeton, to teach junior and senior math at Princeton High School, for 22 years, retiring in 1990.

Now with the freedom of time, Richard and Alta Jeane began wintering in Arizona and summering in Minnesota. He spent his time golfing, woodworking, doing crosswords and spending lots of time with his grandchildren.

The couple permanently moved to Wickenburg, Arizona in 2001, where they spent years in the southern sunshine. Richard served as the Commander of the Wickenburg American Legion for several terms. In February 2016, they moved to Big Lake, Minnesota in order to be close to family due to health reasons.

Richard is dearly missed by his wife Alta Jeane (Spitchke) Starr, and loving family:

Son Craig Starr, his wife Pam. Grandchildren Tina Whitmill; Angie (John) Young; Cassie (Justin) Thompson. Great-grandchildren Wyatt and Andrew Whitmill; Hannah Young; Maverick and Lexus Crawford and Alahna Thompson.

Daughter Lynn Lawson, her husband Russell. Grandchildren Jill (Chris) Puffer; Kyle Engebretsen; Laurissa (Tyler) Shields; Davina (Matthew) Meneely; Shadrach Lawson. Great-grandchildren Mason and Maya Puffer; Hunter and Madelyn Shields; Riley and Zoe Meneely.

Daughter Patti Nemeth, her husband Todd. Grandchildren Lance (Joni) Klofstad; Richard (Bryana) Klofstad; Samantha (Jesse) Sewill; and Jeremy (Lauren) Nemeth. Great-grandchildren Ivorie and Marek Klofstad; Liam Klofstad; Ariana Sewill; and Bentley Nemeth.

Son Scott Starr, his wife Peggy. Grandchild Brittany (Cody) Stearns. Great-grandchildren Colton and Lane Stearns.

Daughter Vicki Jones, her husband Joe. Grandchild Leandra Parker. Great-grandchildren Jacob and Jaiden Stanley and Cole Parker.

As well as his sisters Isabelle Freeberg and Donna Hoffman, many nieces, nephews and other extended family, and friends.

He was met in Heaven by his parents, infant brother Francis Starr, sisters June Rideout and Helen Hamilton.




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