Richard Starkenburg

Sibley, IA        Richard Starkenburg, age 92 of Sibley, IA died Saturday, June 17, 2016, at the Osceola Community Hospital in Sibley, IA.        Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 30, 2016 at the Christian Reformed Church in Sibley, IA, with Pastor Bill Van Der Heide officiating.        Burial will take place prior to the memorial service at Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley.        Visitation will be Friday, July 29th from 2 to 8 p.m., with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home in Sibley.        Richard Starkenburg was born July 26, 1923 in Sibley, Iowa to Sip and Anna (Van Gelder) Starkenburg. Richard lived his entire life in the Sibley area. He was born on a farm just two miles south of Sibley, educated and employed in the Sibley area. On October 11, 1944 he married Effie Elgersma. They lived on and farmed the same land where Richard had grown up. In 1964 the farm was sold, they built a new home and moved to town. Richard was employed at Osceola County Co-op Creamery, Hap Dykstra Construction and Terry Gregg Construction.   Richard and Effie moved to Sibley Specialty Care in November 16, 2012. Effie passed away November 13, 2013.      Richard was a very dedicated husband to Effie during their 69 years together. Effie and Richard loved to decorate their yard with many flowers. He always took pride in how their lawn and flowers looked. He loved to read books and was still reading shortly before he passed away. He was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His room at Sibley Specialty Care was decorated with pictures of his family and art drawn by his great-grandchildren.      Richard is survived by two daughters: Marcia (Buck) Massa of Sibley, IA, and Connie (Steve) Dallenbach of Worthington, MN.; two grandsons Richard (Rick and Kristin)of Glen Ellyn, IL., Joshua Massa of Olathe, KS., one granddaughter Nicole Dallenbach of Worthington, MN.; two great-grandchildren – Bennett and Olivia Massa of Glen Ellyn, IL. Two brothers-in-law: John and Bev Elgersma, Ray and Phyllis Elgersma and a sister-in-law June Van Dyke all of Sanborn, IA.; and many nieces and nephews and other extended family.      He was preceded in death by: his parents Sip and Anna Starkenburg; his spouse of 69 years Effie Starkenburg; three brothers: Arthur (Elizabeth), John (Marie), and Edward (Leona) Starkenburg; three sisters Ollie (Peter) Van Iperen, Christina (Otto) Jacobsma and Emma Starkenburg. Three brothers-in-law: Bill (Elsie) Elgersma, Jake (Caroline) Elgersma, Sam (Priscilla) Elgersma; four sisters-in-law: Josie (Sam)Vanden Berg, Jennie (Dick) Vanden Berg, Tena (Maynard) Elgersma, and Margaret (George) Veltman.