Service Information
Emil H. Starke, Jr. age 82, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at Ecumen Oaks in Hutchinson.
Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Hutchinson with interment in Peace Lutheran Cemetery in Hutchinson.
Visitation will be held Monday, September 8, 2025, from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. and will continue one hour prior to the service ALL at the church.
Military Honors by Hutchinson Memorial Rifle Squad.
Obituary
Emil Henry Starke, Jr. was born on May 21, 1943, in Nicollet, Minnesota. He was the son of Emil and Wilhelmina (Bublitz) Starke, Sr. Emil was baptized as an infant on June 13, 1943, and later confirmed in his faith as a youth on January 1, 1957, both at Trinity Lutheran Church in Nicollet. He received his education in Nicollet, and was a graduate of the Nicollet High School Class of 1961.
Emil entered military service in the United States Army Reserves on September 5, 1964, in Nicollet. He received an Honorable Discharge on June 22, 1970 in Winthrop, Minnesota, and achieved the rank of Sergeant.
On September 9, 1967, Emil was united in marriage to Marion Schmidt at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, by Reverend Walter D. Marth. This marriage was blessed with two sons, Mark and Randy. Emil and Marion resided in Nicollet. In March of 1969, they purchased the farm in Hutchinson Township. They shared 47 years of marriage prior to the passing of Marion on May 17, 2015.
Emil held employment at 3M, Stearnswood, Hansen Gravel, Linder Bus Company, City of Hutchinson, and Vision Transportation. He retired in 2024. Emil was a long-time member of Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, and recently at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Hutchinson.
Emil enjoyed polka dancing, driving through the countryside, and watching Gunsmoke. He also enjoyed visiting with friends at Cash Wise, going out to eat, and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events. Emil cherished spending time with his family, grandchildren, and friends.
Emil passed away on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at Ecumen Oaks in Hutchinson, at the age of 82 years.
Blessed be his memory.
Emil is survived by his:
Sons, Mark Starke and his wife, Leah of Hutchinson, MN,
Randy Starke and his wife, Melissa of Hutchinson, MN;
Grandchildren, Isaac (fiancée, Kaitlyn), Jacob, Hannah (Matthew), Abigail, and Samuel;
Great-grandson, Vincent;
Many other relatives and friends.
Emil is preceded in death by his Parents, Emil and Wilhelmina Starke, Sr.; Wife, Marion Starke; Siblings, Marlys Peters, Ruth Brandes, Harold Starke, Harvey Starke, Dorothy Baumgardt, Vivian Westphal, Bernice Truebenbach.
Betsy Telecky says
Emil was my bus driver for many years. Also saw him as his son and daughter in law were our neighbors. He was such a kind man and will be missed. Sympathies to the family.
Tim Cook says
To Mark and the rest of the Starke family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Was an honor to drive bus with you guys about 16 or 17 years ago. Emil was always good to catch up on current events in the morning over coffee time and was always good for a laugh.
Brad Emans says
Great guy, one of a kind! ALWAYS enjoyed talking with Emil.
My most sincere condolences to the family!!
Brad Emans
Carol Runke says
Randy and Mark, I was just thinking about your dad the other day when I was in Cash Wise and how I hadn’t seen him. Another bus driver gone. I always had a good time talking to him. He always had something smart to say to me.
You and your families will be in my prayers.
Barbara Rasmussen says
So sorry to here of the passing of Emil. We know he is in a better place and can be reunited with Marion again. I was told he was so un happy at the oaks but his heart was always on the farm but things don’t always plan out that way. Our thoughts and prayers are with the whole family. God bless you all at this sad time.
Cathy Fluck says
My sympathy to the family. He was a great guy to visit with.
Joseph and Marjorie Bandas says
We are so sorry to hear that Emil passed away. He was so much fun coming to Cashwise. We talked alot about the good old days. We’ll miss seeing g you Emil. Sincere condolences to the family.
Dean Kirchoff says
Always loved to visit with Emil at the Saturday night service’s ,he always had a good story to tell. Rest in peace Emil.
Marjorie Hemmann says
Visited with Emil at the McLeod County Fair and would see him at the Pla-mor dances. Very friendly and fun loving
Prayers for comfort for the family
Gene and Grace Chrast says
Emil was our bus driver when we lived on North High Drive. He was a true gentleman and a great bus driver. Our kids loved him. We often met up with him at Cash Wise, and always enjoyed the visit. He will be truly missed by everybody who knew him. Rest in Peace, Emil!!!
Amy Lange says
I always enjoyed visiting with Emil! My sympathies to you all.
John & Cindy Mons says
SO SORRY to hear that Emil passed away. I am going to miss his laugh, his stories and all those conversations we used to have where we solved ( or we thought we did) all the problems of the world! Many fond memories of him over the years and I will never forget all the ballgames in Cosmos we played together when Emil was my catcher in the modified softball league. Great memories. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Starke Family!
John & Cindy Mons
Judy Sladek says
It seems lately we’ve been saying good bye to our friends at a rapid rate. I just saw Emil at Walmart a couple weeks ago. The usual sparing, of course, but noticed more sadness that time. Very unhappy about living in town, and longed to be at the farm. I trust, he is more content now and will be happy to be with his Lord and Savior.
Bob and I send our sympathy to his family.
Randy D Anderson says
Our condolences to Mark, Randy & families on the loss of Emil. He always picked on me about wearing my yellow tie. He was always full of stories when in our clinic.
Randy & Jodie Anderson
Larry & Judy Suess says
Mark, Randy and Families.
So sorry to hear that Emil has passed away. He is now reunited with Marion. We always enjoyed our talks when running into him up town.
Hold on to your memories, he will always be in your heart.
RIP Emil. You will be missed.
Babette Piker says
My Condolences to Mark, Randy and their families. Emil drove past our place and always waved. I had the privilege of getting to know him at Park Elementary when I worked as a substitute Para and took the students out to their buses. Then when I worked as a rider with the students. I remember the day he got stuck in the snow on our road right by the corner of our property and he had to call in and have them bring out another bus to get him unstuck. Another time I read in the paper he went in the ditch. Had to ask him how he managed that and he’d say well it wasn’t easy but everyone was okay. Enjoyed getting to see him at the fair over the years and at graduation parties he attended for my neighbor kids who aren’t kids anymore. God bless you Emil for bringing us all laughter and loved the hugs.
Elmer vorlicek says
True friend he always told me to friends with everyone and to the family I am sorry for your loss
SANDY WRIGHT says
My thoughts and prayers are with the Starke Family. May you find comfort in knowing he is with his Lord and Savior. God Bless. Sandy Wright
Mark A Hergott says
My most heartfelt condolences to Mark & Leah, Randy & Melissa and their families. Emil will be remembered and missed by so many, I will miss his smile, laugh, sense of humor and the breakfasts shared, especially if I was buying or bringing a check. From the first time we met, as he came into Cargill with a load of corn, asked how I felt stealing it below $2 but it was the best price in town, as he ribbed me. As a Nebraska farm boy he always asked how are things there, then to be able to buy corn for over $6 and $7 finally a really good feeling, Now in recent years helping with Insurance and Market questions. There is nothing better than having a friend in a peer that I could always respect as a wonderful caring gentleman, He was so proud of his son’s and Isaac being able to help at the farm, knowing it was all in very good hands, We talked many times in the kitchen at the farm, after the loss of his love, leaving with him smiling or a chuckle, He is home now with his Savior, family and friends, God Bless you Emil for all you shared, Prayers always to his family, Thanks for the Memories,
Donna Luthens says
Mark, Randy and families,
Hugs and sympathies to you all! Yes Emil was quite the guy at the bus line at Park Elementary!! Always good for a laugh!! I remember when his wife was ill and you could tell it was hard on him!! Blessed be his reuniting with her now and at peace!! Cherish those memories and hold them in your heart!!
Fred Freland Barlau says
Worked with and knew Emil from 3M and church. He was a very good man as good as they come! I will miss seeing him. Condolences to his family.
Tony Kadlec Family says
Godspeed Emil, we will miss you. Your great spirit lives on in our memories!
The Kadlec Family
Rachel and Roger Stearns says
Our sympathies to Mark, Randy and families. Emil was quite a guy!
Robert Westphal says
My condolences to Mark and Randy and your families. I’ll always remember the Starke family picnic softball games with your Dad. Sorry for your loss.
Shelley Landfair says
Ahhh Emil, it was truly an honor to work with you when you drove bus! You always had some smart comment about everything which kept me laughing. I remember visiting you in the hospital and the look of shock when I walked in on your room. I offered to paint your route nails but instead you just laughed and wanted me to bring you French fries from McDonald’s. You will truly be missed by so many of the hearts you touched.
Love and hugs to all the family during this difficult time. You will be in my prayers.
Cheryl Froemming-Reece says
Randy, Mark and to your families — I’m so very sorry to hear this … made me sad, but I know he’s now with sweet Marion and probably making everyone smile. I certainly enjoyed ALL my chats with him whenever I saw him… and most times, it was at the baseball fields. Such a kind man… always made me smile and laugh. No doubt .. Heaven just got even brighter … fly high Emil…and enjoy all those John Deeres up there.
My thoughts, prayers, and very deepest sympathies.
God Bless.
Marc & Michele Max says
Starke Family, we are so sorry for your loss. Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers!
Tom and Deb Wiprud says
Our sympathies to the Starke family. So very sorry for your loss.
John Olson says
My condolences to your family. Working with Emil was an enjoyable part of my time in Hutchinson Public Works. Losing dad is a tough thing to go through. Blessed be memories of him!
Janelle Dummer says
Randy,
Sorry to hear about your dad. I saw him in Cash Wise this summer when he stopped to talk with my mom. I remember getting hay from him years back. My folks were sad to hear this news, too. Thinking of you.
Susan Himmelman says
Our sympathies to the Starke family on the passing of Emil. Dad had a great time getting reacquainted with his cousin at SMSU tennis matches. The cousin list is getting smaller with the passing of Elaine and Blaine too. Dad is the last of his family. Dale and Susan Himmelman