Marian Ellen (Thompson) Starr, 86, of Redfield, SD, passed away Friday, July 28, 2017 at Community Memorial Hospital in Redfield.  Her funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at the United Methodist Church in Redfield.  Reverend Marty Toepke-Floyd will officiate.  Private burial will take place at a later date.

Visitation will be Monday, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., at Thelen-Hyke Funeral Home in Redfield.  Family will be present during this time to accept condolences.  A prayer service will follow at 7:00 p.m.  Thelen-Hyke Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. (www.thelen-hykefuneralhome.com)

Marian Ellen Starr, was born the youngest of six children, to Opal (Roberts) and Raymond Thompson on August 28, 1930 in Timber Lake, SD.  Her parents farmed 15 miles southwest of Timber Lake and Marian attended the rural country (Madsen) school for eight years.  Her father passed away in 1939 and her mother remarried neighbor, Sam Williamson.  Marian attended her first year of high school in Timber Lake and then her parents moved to a farm south of Doland.  She graduated in 1948 from Doland High School.  Marian then attended a nine-month secretarial course at Mankato Business College and was later employed in Sioux Falls.

Marian was united in marriage on November 6, 1949 to Daryle Starr.  The couple lived in a small three-room home they built in Sioux Falls until moving northeast of Doland in April 1951 to begin farming with Daryle's father, Ralph Starr. In 1958 they moved to the Frankfort area to the Starr Family Homestead, which was established in 1879.

Marian thoroughly enjoyed sharing the adventures of life with Daryle, the children, relatives and friends.  As a young adult she enjoyed playing softball, dancing, bowling and attending school activities.  Marian also enjoyed camping, motor home travels, cruises and trips around the world.  She was a member of several social clubs and was an accomplished genealogist.  In retirement she was an avid card player and painter.  Marian started painting when she and Daryle retired and spent winters in Mesa, AZ and has gifted much of her work to family and friends.

Grateful for having shared in her life are her children: Ronald Starr of Doland, SD; Richard (Linda) Starr of Centennial, CO; Robin (Dale) TerWee of Sturgis, SD; 8 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; her sister, Evelyn Holzer; many nieces and nephews and a large extended family.

Marian was preceded in death by her parents and stepfather; her husband Daryle; four brothers Leo, Melvin and Burdette Thompson and Ray Williamson; two sisters Wilma Holzer and Betty Berndt; three stepbrothers Osmar, Lawson and Leslie Williamson; her stepsister Clara Short; and her grandson Nathan Boyd.

The family has designated the Mount Hope Cemetery in Frankfort, SD for memorial contributions.