63751_Harold R._Stark
Funeral Services for Harold R. Stark, 83, of Greene, will be 10:.30 a.m., Saturday, July 19, 2014, at the First Presbyterian Church in Greene with Pastor Galen Smith officiating. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Greene. Visitation will be 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Friday, July 18, 2014, at Retz Funeral Home, 519 N. First St. Greene.
Harold Roy Stark was born July 14, 1931, on the family farm east of Riceville in Howard County, Iowa to Roy and Myrtle (Torney) Stark and died Tuesday, July 15, 2014, at the Liebe Care Center in Greene. Harold was educated in a one room schoolhouse graduating from the eighth grade in 1945, Riceville High School in 1949, and graduated from the University of Iowa in 1953 with a B.S.C. degree.
Harold was employed by the International Harvester Sales Office in Davenport. His team performed a tractor square dance using a new Super C Farmall tractor that demonstrated a new hitch system. His next job involved the insurance and credit investigating field in the Des Moines and Boone areas. He then worked for the Iowa State Employment Service while looking for work in the agriculture field. In 1955 he began working for Van Nostrand Grain Co in Avoca.
While working in Council Bluffs, the highlight of his life occurred when he met his future wife, Mary Husen, in a church group at the Congregational Church in Council Bluffs. They married February 5, 1956, in Council Bluffs. They moved to Emmetsburg to begin their married life and a job with Quaker Oats Company as an assistant manager from 1956-1959. While at Emmetsburg, two sons were added to the family: Steve in 1956 and Doug in 1958. In 1960 they moved to Rodman where Harold was manager of the Quaker Oats Elevator until it was sold in 1964.
After searching the entire state for a job, he accepted the one where he would spend the rest of his working career, the manager of Packard Elevator. From 1964-1981, Harold managed Packard under the ownership of Persis Pooley and Phyllis Rottler. Under his leadership, Packard expanded in the grain, feed, fertilizer, seed, farm chemicals, and Hormel Packing hog buying areas to become one of the leading suppliers and service supporters to area farmers. In 1980, Harold joined Gary Rottler in purchasing the Packard Elevator and continued to manage daily operations. In 1995, he and his two sons, became owners of Packard Elevator. Harold retired in 1996 and in 2007 the elevator was purchased by Innovative Ag.
Harold was active in many area organizations including Dealer Council for Golden Sun Feeds, Butler County Beef Producers and Pork Producers, Food Resources Bank, 4-H and Iowa State Extension Council serving as Butler County Director. He was a member of the Iowa State Advisory Council, and a member and state director of the Iowa Grain and Feed Association. When the Rock Island Railroad ceased to operate, he was active in organizing a group of shippers to purchase the track and start the Iowa Northern Railroad. Harold served as chairman of the Board of Directors until it was sold to its current owners.
He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church and served on many committees including being an Elder of the Church. He was active on the Greene Public Library Board, was a 32nd Degree Mason, and a member of I.O.O.F. (Odd Fellows). His most memorable times were spent with his family. He loved taking trips to see the country and playing golf. Harold was a loyal supporter of the Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball programs.
Harold is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary; two sons: Steve (Ann) Stark, Greene; Doug (Sara) Stark, Greene; four grandchildren: Amy (Luke) Johnson, Story City; Emily(Will) Schuldt, Waverly; Nathan Stark, Coralville; Collin Stark, Newton; one great- grandson, Leo Johnson; one step-great-grandson, Landon Johnson; one brother, Dean (Helen) Stark, Riceville; six nieces and two nephews; sister-in-law, Bonny Gebow.
He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth (Mary) Stark; two brothers-in-law, Earl Husen and Howard Gebow; and one nephew.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Harold Stark Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 219, Greene, Iowa 50636