Marva Jean Stark

Marva Jean Stark, 89, of Boxholm, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at home with family.

Marva Jean Muench was born on August 18, 1936, in Ogden, Iowa, the daughter of Howard and Bernice (Heineman) Muench. She grew up on the family farm north of Ogden with her parents and seven siblings. Marva was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church. She graduated from the Boxholm Consolidated High School in 1955. She went on to study elementary education at Iowa State Teachers College. Following her graduation in 1957, she taught kindergarten in Dayton.

On July 5, 1958, Marva was united in marriage to Glenn C. Stark at the Zion Lutheran Church in Ogden. She returned to teach kindergarten one more year as Mrs. Stark. The couple then began farming northeast of Boxholm where they raised their two daughters, Sheri Lynn and Joni Lynn. In 1993, Marva and Glenn moved to Boxholm, restoring Glenn’s childhood home.

Marva loved living out her faith and being involved in her church where she taught Sunday school and VBS, and was an active member of the women’s Joy Circle at the Boxholm United Methodist Church. She enjoyed volunteering in her community as a leader in 4-H as well as Girl Scouts, where she shared her enthusiasm for camping.

In addition to being a farm wife, Marva worked for many years at the Eastern Star Home in Boone and then taught as a substitute teacher before retiring. She found fellowship in clubs such as ODO (Our Day Off) ladies neighborhood group, Questers, Boxholm Community Club, Swedish Club and the Marvalous Marva Club.

Marva often said “learn, learn, learn”. She lived by the motto: We all have to learn, let us teach one another as kindly as we can. Marva loved to learn new things so at the age of 80 she studied to become a master gardener. She delighted in teaching visitors to her garden about the flowers, pollinators and birds. She took her passion for gardening and reading into the community by helping to start a community garden and little free library.

Marva was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Many called her friend and will remember her words of encouragement, her delicious homemade foods and the spirit of her generous hospitality.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Glenn Stark of Boxholm, IA; two daughters, Sheri (Scott) Gedlinske of Apple Valley, MN and Joni Stark-Miller of Boxholm, IA; five grandchildren, Evan (Jenny) Gedlinske, Lauren Gedlinske, Madelaine, Colton and Sierra Miller; two great-grandchildren, Ruby and Riley Gedlinske; and her siblings, Merlin (Jody) Muench, John (Stephanie) Muench, Dwight (Dianna) Muench and Linda Trudo; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, Marva is preceded in death by her in-laws, John and Minnie Stark; her siblings and their spouses, Marlene (Ted) Simon, Merle (Mary) Muench, Sue (Mac) Magill; brothers-in-laws & sister-in-law, Verne and Joyce Stark, and Ron Trudo.

A celebration of life for Marva Jean will be held in the spring or summer of 2026. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.