Joyce Darlene Stark, age 83, was born on Sept. 28, 1937, to Edna Shafer Powers and Oral Powers in Odgen, Iowa. Joyce went to Heaven on Feb. 5, 2021, after a long courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She was surrounded by family at her home in Great Bend, Kan.
On Aug. 31, 1957, Joyce was united in marriage to Verne J. Stark in Boxholm, Iowa.
Joyce was a devoted mother to Debbie Stark-Deutsch, David Stark, Deena Stark Divilbiss, and Daniel Stark. Joyce was an amazing seamstress, tailoring clothes for herself, her children and grandchildren. She also used her seamstress talent by teaching at Mankato State University in the theatrical/drama department making and helping with costumes. In 1957, she graduated from cosmetology school. She owned a beauty salon in West Des Moines, Iowa, where she developed a wig party club selling wigs at home parties in the 70’s. Joyce co-owned Enrev Water Systems in Great Bend, Kan. for 32 years. Joyce also brought her love for jewelry and clothing to Cornerstone Interiors, helping her daughter, Debbie for many years. Joyce followed her husband moving across the country establishing beautiful homes filled with family and friends. For the last 11 years Verne and Joyce enjoyed summer lake life at Lake Wilson State Park as the camp hosts of Big Blue Stem gathering around them many friends and family. Joyce’s greatest achievement was sharing her love for Jesus with others and she had a knack of holding many children who needed a mother close to her bosom and claiming them as her own.
Survivors include her husband, Verne J. Stark, of the home; children, Debbie Stark-Deutsch and husband, Randy of Hoisington, Kan., David Stark of Solomon, Kan., Deena Stark Divilbiss and husband, Randy of Great Bend, Kan., Daniel Stark of Great Bend, Kan., and son at heart, Frank Parker and wife, Sherry of Parsons, Kan.; grandchildren, Natalie Deutsch Patton and Jacob Deutsch, Matthew Eddington, Ashley Stark Kohman, Tyler Stark, and Ryan Stark, Calvin Divilbiss, Cory Divilbiss, and Casey Divilbiss, David Bryant Stark, Carly Stark Peach, Caylee Stark, Catie Stark Chamauga, and Christie Stark Rossouw, Stephanie Parker Owens and Chelsey Parker; great grandchildren, Raymond Patton, Harper and Carter Deutsch, Dylan, Weston and Kennedy Eddington, Adalyn and Emerson Kohman, Owen and Liv Stark, Nathaniel and Benjamin Divilbiss, Emmitt, Emalee, Evalynn and Everett Divilbiss, Maverick Divilbiss, Amelia Peach, soon to be born Chrismarie Rossouw and Amelia and Parker Owens; sisters, Jeannie Doty and husband, Floyd of Brooklyn, Iowa, Jerilyn Carlson and husband, Clark of International Falls, Minn.; brothers-in-law, Richard Deemy of Temecula, Calif., Glenn Stark and wife, Marva Jean of Boxholm, Iowa. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; sister, JoAnn Deemy; nephew, Matthew Deemy; and nieces, Michelle Deemy and April Carlson.
There will be a private family ceremony.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Resthaven Mortuary
11800 West Highway 54
Wichita, KS 67209
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Feb. 10, 2021
