Üwe "Tom" Staerk

1955 - 2025

Faribault - Uwe "Tom" Staerk of Faribault passed away at home on September 20, 2025, at the age of 70, with his family by his side.

Uwe was born in Dusseldorf, Germany, on June 8, 1955, to Willi and Irmgard Staerk. Uwe was the second youngest of seven children. The Staerk family moved to Windom, Minnesota, from Dusseldorf, Germany, in 1956, looking for new opportunities. Uwe was one year old at the time. They took a train for 3 days from New York to Windom and were taken in by the Lutheran church.

His passion was his family. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and had a general love of the outdoors. One of his favorite trips was to Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, to fish with his father, Willi, and some friends, traveling in an old school bus. He loved to tell stories of that trip, seeing polar bears and other wildlife. He had many trips to the North Shore with his family and enjoyed skipping rocks on Lake Superior as well as hunting for beautiful rocks with his grandkids. He had many dogs, cats, and a pet raccoon throughout his life, and they were very precious to him. He always had treats in his pocket for any dog that came his way.

Uwe loved cars and sold cars for 43 years. In his younger days, he raced sprint cars with his brother Reiny. He collected and restored numerous classic cars and auto industry memorabilia.

Uwe met Jane Dokken after moving back to Windom, and they were married at the Church of the Good Shepard on June 13, 1979. They raised their children in Windom until moving to Faribault in 1994.

He is survived by his loving companion, Kim Ellertson; daughters, Gretchen (Josh) Sterling and Heidi Bandy; son, Ben (Lisa) Staerk; siblings, Monika (Dick), Hannelore, Karl (Mary), Karin (Bruce), and Sue; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild on the way; many nieces and nephews, and other loved ones.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willi and Irmgard; wife, Jane; brother, Reinhard; niece, Monika; nephews, Tim and Dan.

Uwe lived his life with love, integrity, hard work, and a dry sense of humor.

A celebration of life will be held on October 11, 2025 from 12 -5 p.m. at the Faribault Moose Lodge, 1810 4th St. NW, Faribault, MN.

Boldtfuneralhome.com for information and guestbook.