DONALD GLENN STARK,Obituary

Donald Glenn Stark, a Rudyard farmer, collapsed and died Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2002, at his farm. He was 77.

The funeral Mass will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Church in Hingham. Burial will follow in the Rudyard Cemetery.

Donald was born in Great Falls on Nov. 27, 1925. He was the only child of Lynne and Anna (Dittrich) Stark. He grew up on the family farm north of Rudyard and received his early schooling in Rudyard, then attended the Happy Hollow Country School, a one-room schoolhouse 1 miles north of the farm. He graduated from Rudyard High School in 1943 and then began working for his parents on the farm.

Donald was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1945. He was a private first class who had sharpshooter training. As the war was winding down, he didn't serve overseas and was given an honorable discharge in 1946.

Donald returned to the farm and eventually met Anne Hawrylak, a Canadian nurse who was working in Havre. They married on Oct. 28, 1949, in St. Jude's Church. They lived in Havre for seven years, where Donald worked for the railroad, the Case and Johne Deere dealerships, and Heltne's Service Center.

The couple moved to the Stark farm nine miles north of Rudyard in 1956 and remained there, raising three daughters.

Donald was a past member of the Hill County Water Board and the Farmers Union Board in Rudyard. He was active at Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Church in Hingham, where he was baptized after his marriage.

In addition to farming, he was in the hog business from 1962 to 1974.

Donald was a "fix-it" man who could do almost any plumbing, electrical or mechanical project, and he took great pride in keeping his machinery in good working condition. He could make something out of nothing by using his creative welding skills.

Always a good neighbor, Donald was ready to help his friends whenever they needed him. He had a passion for reading and learning and was very knowledgeable on many subjects, then adapted that knowledge to practical use.

Donald enjoyed horseback riding in his youth and continued to enjoy hunting and fishing. He liked to read and play solitaire during his quiet time. His favorite television activities were rodeos and boxing events. Donald also enjoyed telling stories and jokes when greeting friends.

He and Anne were constant companions during their 53 years of married life together.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife, Anne; daughters, Marjorie (LeWayen) Kroeger of Libby, Donna (Jerry) Hall of Great Falls, and Jean (Robert) Becker of Helena; five grandchildren; and one cousin, Joanne English of Havre.

Memorials may be made to Triangle Health Care in Chester.

Arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Home in Chester.