Elizabeth Starkey

Elizabeth A. “Betty” Starkey, 86, Jamestown, ND passed away surrounded by her family on Sunday November 24, 2019 at Ave Maria Village in Jamestown, ND.

Betty was born July 14, 1933 at the home farm in Splitrock Township, MN the daughter of George and Stella (Poslusny) Greske. She graduated high school in Moose Lake, MN in May 1951.

She worked at the Diamond Match Mill in Cloquet, MN until she met her husband Roger Starkey. She and Roger Merlin Starkey were wed on March 30, 1957 at Cloquet, MN and made their home in Esko and Little Falls, MN, where they raised 7 children. In 1974 they moved to Jamestown where she worked as a sales clerk for White Drug and later Ben Franklin. She later became a dispatcher for the James River Senior Citizen Center and during that time was awarded the “Dispatcher of the Year” from the Dakota Transit Association in 2007. She retired at the age of 80 and continued with her crafts to keep herself busy.

Betty was a member of the Basilica of St. James in Jamestown and her faith was very important to her. She had a passion for crocheting and was known for her famous pot-scrubbies. She entered several crocheted items, such as bedspreads with extravagant details which won many blue-ribbons in the Stutsman County Fair. She was a person that enjoyed crafts and showing her grandchildren how to make many different things. She liked to be around people and helped out when she could. Betty loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Many hours were spent completing jigsaw puzzles and getting the “Greske giggles”. She was very proud of her Polish heritage, including her love of polka music which now lives on in all her children.

She is survived by 4 daughters, Deborah (Daniel) Dack, Montevideo, MN; Karen (Perry) Finck, Jamestown, ND; Laureen (Todd) Wilen, Tehachapi, CA; Annette (Patrick) Murphy, Memphis, TN; 2 sons, Rodney (Victoria) Starkey, Jamestown, ND; Robert Starkey, Williston, ND; 14 grandchildren, Josh (Beth) Dack, Chad (Nikki Forstrom) Dack, Erik (Lyndsae) Dack, Andy (Miranda Hewson) Finck, David (Amy) Finck, Carissa (Cullen Goter) Finck, Nicole (Terry George) Linstaedt, Haley (Patrick Nelson) Linstaedt, Nick (Karly) Starkey, Brittney (Doug) Thompson, Evan Hunter, DJ (Maisie Ballard) Brunner , Mary Brunner & Patsy Murphy;  16 great grandchildren, Cooper, Brody & Jase Dack, Peyton & Elliot Dack, Evelyn Forstrom, Thea Dack, Lucy Lindaas, Dexter & Amelia Finck, Nolan Finck, Holden Syverson, Hunter George, and Sophie, Milo & Maddie Thompson; 1 sister Emelia (Zennon) Bednarek, Cloquet, MN.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, 1 son Gerald (Butch), 1 grandson, Matthew Finck, 1 great grandson, Colson Dack, 1 brother, Arthur and two sisters Celia and Delores.

Mass of Christian Burial- 10:00 AM Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at the Basilica of St. James in Jamestown, ND

Vigil Service- 7:00 PM Tuesday at the Funeral Home

Visitation- 4-7p Tuesday at the Funeral Home