Betty Stark

The memorial service for Betty Stark will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 11, 2013 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Wadena, with Pastor Marli Danielson presiding. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Betty died at the age of 84, on Sunday, January 6, 2013, at Tri-County Hospital in Wadena. Betty Gene Wheeler was born to George and Elizabeth “Betty” (Awruy) Wheeler on March 28, 1928 in Wadena, MN. She could recall that as a child her log home was built in southeast Wadena while she lived across the street. It was in that log home in our community that Betty lived her life. She graduated with the Wadena High School Class of 1946. She will be remembered in conjunction with Krause Drug Store where she worked for 48 years as the bookkeeper and friendly sales lady. It didn’t matter what you needed or wanted; Betty knew where to find the perfume, gift, or medication you asked for. She was a self-taught pharmacy lab technician before there ever was such a title. If it was in the store Betty had a hand in organizing it’s whereabouts or getting it to whoever needed it. She retired in 1996. Betty married Richard “Bumps” Stark on April 5, 1972, and they lived in Betty’s childhood home. They loved to travel into Canada where many days were spent in a fishing boat. They also went deer hunting together. Betty enjoyed nature, feeding birds, walking, and the many, many days at their lake place on Ottertail River. It was there that they entertained their treasured friends with boat rides, food and interesting conversation. Her happy disposition was shared with everyone, especially with children. She was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ where she proudly stated she had been attending since the age of five years. Betty was preceded in death by her husband Richard “Bumps” in 1983, and her parents George and Elizabeth. She is survived by friends, church members, and a community who loved her. Honorary pallbearers will be her fellow co-workers at Krause Drug and the members & friends of First Congregational United Church of Christ in Wadena.

Betty Stark

March 28, 1928 - January 6, 2013