Nadine Alice Stark
Nadine Alice Stark passed peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022, at The Springs at Grand Park in Billings, Montana.
Nadine was born on the farm at Hardin, MT, on November 30, 1936, to Elizabeth and Victor Stricker. Nadine’s siblings included Marvin and Nancy. Nadine received her education in Hardin where she graduated in 1955 and then attended Billings Business College preceding her employment at Security Bank. Nadine and her special friends and roommates, Shirley Margheim and Carol Benzel shared a lifetime of laughter and memories.
While attending a local dance, Nadine met the love of her life, John Ancil Stark, and they were married in Hardin, MT, on November 24, 1956, and they were blessed with four children in the next seven years. John and Nadine moved their family to Hardin in 1960 where they leased farm ground and raised kids, sugar beets, corn, cattle, sheep and horses, and a large garden.
For fun, the family squeezed into the pickup and went on many road trips to various chariot horse race tracks in the region along with their treasured friends John and Darlene Mehling.
Ten years later, their dream of owning a ranch presented itself, and they consigned their beet farm equipment to auction and purchased a ranch in Grass Range. At nearly the same time, the Holly Sugar Beet Factory announced their pending closure, and their anticipated farm closure auction proceeds were reduced significantly, but they were determined to make a go of the ranch life, and John and Nadine spent some of their best years ranching and raising their family in the community of Grass Range where they made many treasured and life-long friendships and memories.
Their plans to semi-tire kicked-off when they sold the ranch and started a feedlot in Silesia between 1978 and 1980. But due to unforeseen circumstances, their retirement was short lived and they returned to the ranch, but after several years it was sold again and they purchased their retirement home in Billings where they enjoyed being close to their children and their families. Camping and fishing trips with their friends and family were some of their favorite activities. John shuttled mine equipment between Billings and Nevada for his son Vic at Rocky Mountain Air, and Nadine was his steady co-pilot for many years and thousands of miles. Nadine enjoyed these trips where she played the penny and nickel slots and bootlegged cigarettes home for her friends.
If Nadine wasn’t in the cab of a truck or RV with John, you might find her in the kitchen preparing meals to take to the fields, or to a friend or a neighbor who was ill, or she may have been in the garden or babysitting and spoiling our babies or at one of her families’ sporting events cheering enthusiastically. She was our biggest fan!
Nadine was an incredible homemaker and cook, and would quickly prepare a small feast for anyone who came to their door. She was the cream of the crop as a loving mother, grand and great-grandmother.
When Nadine’s health declined and John was no longer able to care for her at home, their lifelong love affair continued with their daily visits at Butterfly Home and The Grand.
Nadine was preceded in death by her special cowboy, John, her parents and siblings. She is survived by their children John (Mary), Steve (Kymm), Victor (Kyra) and Sandy (Keith); grandchildren Jonathen (Jen), Jesse (Jen), Shaylee, Casey (Kelsey), Taryn (Casey), BreAnna (Bradey), Wyatt (Mackenzie), Kendall and Sienna; great-grandchildren Brocton, Bailey, Mason, Leighton and Emerson, and her sister-in-law Betty, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other loving relatives and special friends.
Nadine’s love and devotion to John and their family was evident until their time on earth came to an end.
Mother, the greatest most loving woman in the world, who used her love to fill bellies, hearts and sock drawers!
Nadine’s funeral services are scheduled for 10:30, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, at Smith’s Funeral Chapels, 925 S. 27th Street, Billings with graveside services to follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 1721 Sunset Ave. A celebration of Nadine’s life will be held from 2-4 at Rhoadside Event Center, downtown Huntley, and everyone is welcome
