Kathryn Marie Starkey

Kathryn Marie Starkey, 88, of Marquette/McGregor, IA, passed away on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at the Great River Care Center in McGregor, IA. Kathryn was born the eldest child and only daughter to Johanna Kathryn (Hartke) and Irvin Louis Becker on April 26, 1937, at home in Giard, Iowa. She was baptized in 1937 at the United Methodist Church in Giard. Growing up on a farm, she was an avid cat-lover.
Kathryn attended a one-room country schoolhouse through eighth grade. In 1951, at 14 years of age, she was confirmed before traveling to France and what was, at the time, West Germany with her maternal grandmother Katherine Hartke. They visited relatives in Strasbourg and Hanover, in addition to sightseeing in Paris.
Kathryn then attended two years of high school in Monona, since the bus from McGregor did not travel to Giard, but the bus from Monona did. At the beginning of her junior year, the bus from McGregor added Giard to the route, so she switched schools and graduated from Mar-Mac Community High School with the class of 1955.
After graduating, Kathryn worked in the office for Dr. Lyons and then Dr. Pfeiffer. In 1956, she started dating a former classmate, Dean Starkey, and they were married in July, 1962, at the United Methodist Church in Giard. Two daughters were born to Kathryn and Dean.
While raising her children, Kathryn worked at McGregor Municipal Utilities, Agri Industries, and McGregor Electronics/McGregor Loudspeaker Manufacturing. At the McGregor United Methodist Church, she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and was a member of the United Methodist Women (UMW). She was a 50-year member of the Order of Eastern Star and a decades long member of a 500-card club. After retiring, she helped with Vacation Bible School and helped deliver meals to shut-ins.
Surviving Kathryn are two daughters: Carol Lundt and her husband Kevin of Waukon, IA, and Susan Lawler and her husband Michael of Pittsford, NY; five grandsons: Joshua Smith and his wife Megan of Nashua, IA; Kordell Smith and his wife Destiny of Waukon, IA; Nathan Lawler and Sam Lawler of Syracuse, NY; and Kevin's son Cody Lundt of Decorah, IA. Also surviving are five great grandchildren: Camden and Madyn Smith of Nashua, IA; as well as Iris, Azalea, and Austyn Smith of Waukon, IA; and brother Richard Becker and his wife Beverly of Giard, IA.
Survivors in Richard's family include Beverly's children: Greg Rickels of McGregor, IA, and his family; Todd Rickels of Kansas City, KS, and his family; and Robin Casey of Helenville, WI, and her family.
Survivors on Dean's side of the family include two sisters-in-law: Dean's twin sister Jean (Starkey) DeLong of Rochester, WA, and Ella Starkey of Centralia, WA.
Preceding Kathryn in death were her parents, husband Dean, brothers Paul Becker and William Becker, and Beverly's daughter Rachel Rickels.
Preceding Kathryn in death on Dean's side of the family include Norman and Beulah Starkey, Clifford and Donna Starkey, Dora and Cleofus Anderson, Harry and Virginia Starkey, James Starkey, Robert and Barbara Starkey, and Steve DeLong.
The family would like to thank Great River Care Center, St. Croix Hospice, and the many good friends who visited her.
Funeral Service will be held at 11:30 am with a visitation from 10:00 am to 11:30 am on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at Giard United Methodist Church in Giard, Iowa with Pastor Linda Hauschild and Pastor Sheldon Stotmeister as the officiants.
Interment will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in McGregor, Iowa.
Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of McGregor, Iowa is assisting the family with services.