ERVIN STARK

Ervin Harry Stark of Cape Cod, Massachusetts and Seminole, Florida; formerly of Mille Lacs Lake / Mora, Minnesota passed away on Monday, September 16, 2024, in Massachusetts. He was 102 years old. 

Ervin was born March 17, 1922, at home, on the farm in rural Ogilvie, Minnesota, to Harry and Wendla (Ryberg) Stark. He grew up on the farm, the first of three brothers; attended country school until the age of 14, then attended Ogilvie High School, graduating in 1940. 
 
After high school, Ervin moved to Minneapolis and found employment at a woolen manufacturing plant making Army and Navy blankets while attending electrical welding school.  After graduating from welding school, he was hired by the Butler Shipyards in Superior, Wisconsin and within two months was named welding supervisor. 
 
In February of 1943, Ervin entered the Army Air Force and took his basic training in Miami, Florida, being housed in a large hotel on the beach. After completing basic training, he was sent to the Stevens Hotel in Chicago to attend airplane mechanics school and then sent to Matagorda Island off the east coast of Texas, as an airplane mechanic. Matagorda Island was a WWII training center for Air Force fighter pilots. In September of 1945, he was assigned to Leyte Island off the Philippines and was discharged in February of 1946.  

On December 8th, 2016. Ervin and 30 other Veterans of the Pacific Theater in WWII were recognized at ceremonies at the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii. The recognition ceremonies and parade honored the surviving veterans whose ages ranged from 90 to 104 years.  

Upon returning to Mora after the service in 1946, he married Linnea Beckman. To this union three children were born, and one son was adopted. Ervin bought an accounting business in Mora and his son Gary joined him in the business after graduating from college. During his years in Mora, Ervin assisted local Boy Scout leaders when his three sons joined the local scout troop. He was elected by the Kanabec Welfare Board as a lay member and completed two four-year terms and served as treasurer of the Mora Lions Club for many years. His hobbies included dancing, hunting and fishing. The family enjoyed many camping trips and vacations out of doors.
  
In June of 1980, Ervin married Agnes Goff and retired to Mille Lacs Lake and eventually spending six months in Minnesota and six months in Florida. In July 2007, Ervin married Joan Merrill of Cape Cod, Massachusetts and together over the years they spent six months on Cape Cod and six months in Florida. He spent 44 winters in Florida. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wives Linnea and Agnes, 3 sons Galen, Gary (Patricia) and Alan and two brothers Glen (Helen) and Ronnie.  

Ervin is survived by his wife, Joan of Cape Cod, MA; daughter Donna Olson (John) of Fergus Falls, MN; daughter-in-law Renee Stark of Wayzata, MN; sister-in-law Marian Stark; 8 Grandchildren, 26 Great Grandchildren and 5 Great Great Grandchildren; many other relatives and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Brunswick with Pastor Jacob Burkman officiating.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 6:00 pm on Friday, September 27, 2024 at the Hamilton Funeral Homes - Akkerman Chapel in Mora and again at 10:00 am on Saturday at the church.

Interment will be in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Brunswick.

Military Honors will be provided by the Mora American Legion Post 201.

Memorials are preferred to the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Brunswick

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