Mike Stark Funeral Service

First Covenant Church of Willmar

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Mike Stark Funeral Service

November 24, 2021 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus

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Michael Allen Stark was born on October 13, 1949 in Sidney, Nebraska, the son of Clare and Lila (Lloyd) Stark. He grew up in Sidney, Nebraska and Greely, Colorado. He spent most of his childhood with his grandparents. Mike was drafted into the United States Army where he served as a mechanic from 1969 – 1977. His tours led him to Germany, Korea, Georgia, and Alabama.

Mike and Marlene met as pen pals while Mike was on tour in Germany. They wrote back and forth for 7 years before marrying on May 3, 1975 in Lincoln, Minnesota. This union was blessed with 3 wonderful boys Chris, Matt and Allen. Mike spent the early years of his career working as a store manager for various farm stores in parts of Nebraska, Iowa and eventually it led him to Big Bear in Willmar in 1992. When Big Bear closed, Mike worked as a car salesman for Mills Auto selling cars and Nova-Tech Engineering as a receiving specialist. Mike tried to retire in 2011 but ended up going to work for his wife as a childcare provider for Tender Hands Daycare.

Mike enjoyed spending time with his boys riding snowmobiles, four wheelers, motorcycles, drag racing and soupin’ up cars! Mike was known to cruise first street with his boys and would race anyone who showed an interest, which is how he met Chad Clark, who was treated as an adopted son to Mike. Mike has always had a passion for cars and in his later years it shifted to Subaru's. He has owned almost every model Subaru has made and created lasting friendships with the boys at Subaru of St. Cloud.

Mike has also cherished many memories with his 7 grandchildren. He was always willing to take them to practice, pick them up from school, bring them food if they are hungry, or take them to a friend’s house. Whatever his grandchildren requested he did. He loved spending time with his family and enjoyed dinners out with Marlene at his two favorite places to eat: Texas Roadhouse and Red Lobster. He enjoyed serving others and always did it with a smile.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Marlene; three sons, Chris (Mandy) Stark of Willmar, Matt (Beth) Stark of Kandiyohi and Allen Stark of Willmar; seven grandchildren, Ryahnna, Abby, Hannah, Ethan, Elijah, Hailey, and William; two sisters, Kathy (Kim) Staab of Broken Bow, Nebraska and Jeannie (Kim) Meyers of Broken Bow, Nebraska, and three brothers, Jim (Carla) Stark of Washington, Kansas, Dan (Hollee) of Lisco, Nebraska and John Stark of Lamberton, Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Elmer and Madge Lloyd and parents, Clare and Lila Stark.

Please remember to keep Marlene and the family in prayer.

Gwendolyn Turnquist Celebration of Life

September 6, 2024 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus

Gwendolyn Turnquist, 96, of Willmar, died Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, at St. Cloud Hospital. Her funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 6, at First Covenant Church in Willmar. Visitation will be one hour prior to her service. Burial will be at Hillcrest Cemetery in rural Murdock. Memorials are preferred to the Bethesda Foundation. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home. Gwendolyn Frances Turnquist was born to David and Julia (Larson) Turnquist was born on September 14, 1927. She was baptized and later confirmed at Frank Lake Lutheran Church. Gwen attended District 40 West Elementary School and graduated from Murdock High School in 1945. She continued her education at St. Cloud State University with a degree in Elementary Education as well as a Master's Degree in 1968. Gwen started teaching first grade in Glenwood and eventually taught in Willmar and Roseville, retiring in 1987, after a 40-year career as a teacher. Following Gwen's retirement there was an opportunity to supervise young children in daycare at Roseville, where she continued to help for 10 years. Gwen spent time with Bible Study Fellowship, Christian Women Clubs and teaching Sunday school. She was a member of First Covenant Church in Willmar. Gwen enjoyed traveling to Europe and Scandinavia in 1963, 1984, and 1994. She also enjoyed going to the North Shore with her good friend Virginia Wicklund. Gwen spent much time in Florida with her aunt Evelyn. After returning to Willmar, Gwen loved her time at Bethesda with the residents. She appreciated classical music, crossword puzzles, reading Christian Literature and current newspaper articles and calling her family on their birthdays. Gwen is survived by her nieces and nephews: Darrel Hart, Tim Hart, Danny Hart, Eric (Kim) Turnquist of Murdock, and Julie (Phil) Eichstadt of Aberdeen, SD; great-nieces and nephews: Luke and Lucee Hart, Courtney (Jamie) Flaten and their children: Piper and Austin, Becca (Paul) Golden and Nick (Kate) Turnquist and their son, Jonah. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her siblings: Roger (Mary) Turnquist, Laura (Jim) Hart and Milton Turnquist.

Betty (Johnson) Boersma

April 27, 2024 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus

Live Stream of Betty (Johnson) Boersma's Celebration of Life Service. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Service will start at 11 a.m. with Luncheon to follow in the lower level Fellowship Hall.

Celebration of Life for Jim Portinga

January 6, 2024 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus

Live Stream Celebration of Life Service for Jim Portinga. Jim Russel Portinga passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Nov. 30th, 2023. Jim graduated from Willmar High School in 1948 and served in the Navy during the Korean war from 1950 to 1954. After his service he attended the University of Minnesota, majoring in Poultry Nutrition and Business. Jim met Shirley, the love of his life, in 1955 at a Robbins Island Picnic and they were married for 67 and a half wonderful years. Jim had a varied career in business and poultry. He started working at Allstate Hatchery at an early age, which was the family business. Jim was most proud of developing a visionary computer program for poultry nutrition which was used to formulate feeding programs for over 70 million poultry in the US and Japan. His entrepreneurial spirit accompanied his life of hard work. He designed a new trailer hitch, winning first place at the Minnesota inventor’s congress. Jim also drafted house plans for several of his own homes and for others. He always said, “The only thing worse than working is looking for work.” In his later years Jim continued his work ethic, including a career working in a photo department. Jim and Shirley lived in three different communities: Willmar, Big Lake and Branson, building community and lifelong friendships wherever they lived. As a couple they traveled extensively throughout North America, South America, Europe, and Japan. Jim loved his family. He is survived by his wife Shirley; their four children: Tim and Laura Portinga of Eden Prairie, Todd and Kris Portinga of Welch, Cindy and Lincoln Clements of Willmar, and Chris and Krista Portinga of Maplewood. Jim was especially fond of his 9 grandchildren: Nicole, Holly, Tyler, Johanna, Stephen, Jon, Jenna, Jake and Sam and 16 great grandchildren. The whole family gathered this past summer for a wonderful two-day reunion. Jim was welcomed into heaven by his parents, Rich and Grace Portinga, brother Dean Portinga, niece Judy Portinga and nephew Terry Portinga. A memorial service will be held at First Covenant Church of Willmar, Minnesota on January 6th, 2024 at 11am with visitation one hour before. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Memorials can be donated to CentraCare Hospice or First Covenant Church in Jim’s memory.