Donald Dean Starks

Donald Dean Starks was born on April 23, 1933 in Coleridge, Nebraska to Stanley and Virgie (Hutchings) Starks. He grew up on a farm near Coleridge where he attended country school and graduated from Coleridge High School. Don went on to attend Electronics school in Omaha. As a young boy, Don enjoyed reading and hunting. He also spent a great deal of his time working on the family farm, the local meat locker and bakery. Don joined the United States Army in 1954 and served in Germany. Don married Sandra Johnston on July 11, 1959 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. They raised two daughters, Mary and Judy. Don and Sandy lived in Omaha and built their first home in the Westgate area and in 1972 built their present home in Elkhorn. Don started working as a Union Electrician before starting his own business in 1972. He was an electrician for 56 years and a master electrician for 40 years. Don was a member of the IBEW and was president of the National Electrical Contractors Association for three years. He was ordained an elder while attending West Hills Presbyterian church in Omaha and was currently an active member at Peace Presbyterian Church in Elkhorn. At Peace he served in numerous capacities for 36 years. Don enjoyed hunting, fishing, fly tying, trapshooting, golf, reading, woodworking and music, learning to play the trumpet at age 73. Don was well known for his euphemisms which are far too numerous to list. He is remembered by his family with words like ….Christian, loyal, honest, dedicated, caring, excellence and family- oriented. These words truly describe Don and the life the led. Don knew the value of education, first for himself and then for his family. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren. They were his top priority and he worked hard to be a positive role model while always making himself available when anyone was in need. Don passed away on Sunday, August 24, 2008 at the Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska with his family by his side at the age of 75 years, 4 months and 1 day. He was preceded in death by his parents Stanley and Virgie and his brother Gordon. Don is survived by his wife Sandra of Elkhorn, Nebraska; daughters and sons-in-law Mary and Marc Ferguson of Omaha, Nebraska and Judy and John Johnson of Elkhorn, Nebraska; grandchildren Jonah Ferguson and Hannah and Madison Johnson; brothers Darrell of Waterloo, Nebraska, James of Dakota City, Nebraska and Virgil of Omaha, Nebraska; sisters Barb Holdorf of Wayne, Nebraska and Norma Linafelter of South Sioux City, Nebraska.

Donald Dean Starks

April 23, 1933 - August 24, 2008