Bonnie Maxine (Cook) STARKEY

STARKEY, COOK, SIPE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/13/2013 at 14:39:55

August 26, 1929 ----- November 7, 2003

Bonnie Maxine Starkey, 74, of Clear Lake, died suddenly and unexpectedly in her home Friday, November 7, 2003. She was a source of inspiration, guidance, comfort and love to her family and others whose lives she touched. A funeral service to celebrate her life will be held Friday, Nov. 14, 1 p.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 112 N 4th St., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dean Hess and the Rev. Edward Starkey officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday, Nov. 13 from 7 - 9 p.m. at the Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Funeral Chapel and one hour preceding the service at the church. Interment will be held at the Clear Lake Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church and the American Diabetes Association in her name.

Bonnie, daughter of Joe and Irene Cook, was born on Aug. 26, 1929 near Forest City, Iowa. She spent her entire life living in north central Iowa. She graduated with the class of 1946 from Forest City High School and completed her teacher's training at Waldorf College. Following this, Bonnie taught school in a one-room country schoolhouse outside of Forest City in the same area where she was raised. She then taught fifth and sixth grade in Clarion, Iowa.

Bonnie and Robert Starkey were married June 14, 1952 in Forest City. Their wedding was the first ever held in what was then the new United Methodist Church. They enjoyed 51 blessed years together. She was a devoted wife, cherished mother, loving grandmother, and caring daughter. Bonnie was very proud of her family and treasured the times they spent together. Bonnie retired from teaching full time to raise her children but for nearly two decades was a frequent substitute elementary school teacher in the Clear Lake Public Schools. She also sold World Book encyclopedias and Wanda Chair baby equipment to hundreds of families across north central Iowa. For 18 years, Bonnie focused her energy and passion on a women's retail clothing store, "Dawne's" on Main Street in Clear Lake. She enjoyed the challenge of owning and operating this with her husband, Bob. They retired in 2000.

Zion Lutheran has been Bonnie's church family for 51 years. She was active in her church and served as president of the Zion Lutheran Church Women and was a member of the church council. Additionally, Bonnie spent several years as a wedding planner at the church. She was active in various charities. She also played a critical role in helping a community of displaced people from Laos establish a new home in Clear Lake. Her faith, strength, convictions, and nurturing character are well known. She was loved by many and will be missed by countless people whose lives she influenced.

She is survived by her mother, Irene Cook, Clear Lake; son, Dr. Randall Starkey and his wife, Mary Jo, San Francisco, Calif.; daughter, Dawne Starkey Sipe and her husband Dr. James Sipe, Golden Valley, Minn.; grandchildren, Joe and Jenna Starkey and Rachel and Christopher Sipe; brother-in-law, Richard Starkey and his wife, Judy, Ft. Francis, Canada; and several cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends. Her husband, Bob, who died July 21 of this year and her father, Joe Cook, preceded Bonnie in death.