BOONE, Iowa—Ilo Marie Wahman Stark, 95, of Boone, Iowa passed away on November 1, 2023, at the Eastern Star Masonic Home in Boone, Iowa. She was born on March 20, 1928, in Stanhope, Iowa the daughter of Carl Wahman and Pearl Carlson Wahman.
Ilo graduated from Stratford High School in 1945. On February 21, 1947, Ilo was united in marriage to John V. Stark at the 7th Street Methodist Church in Kansas City, Kansas. They were the proud parents of Steve and Doug. Ilo lived in Stratford, Luther, Boone, and Des Moines most of her life. She was a farmwife and also worked at Bourne’s in Ames, Des Moines Central Iowa Railroad in Boone, and The Rock Line in Des Moines. She retired in 1989 from the finance department for the City of Des Moines, handling employee benefits for 15 years.
She was a member of the Calvary United Methodist Church in Stratford and the American Legion Auxiliary Post 576 in Stratford. Ilo loved her Swedish heritage, her pets throughout the years, country music, farm life, and her family and friends. Ilo enjoyed writing, including for a period of time a column in the Stratford Courier.
Ilo was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, John Stark; parents, Carl and Pearl Wahman; brother, Dean Wahman; sister-in-law, Lois Wahman; and granddaughter, Angie Eubanks.
She is survived by her sons, Steve Stark and Doug (Judy) Stark, and grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Monday, November 6, 2023, at Calvary United Methodist Church in Stratford, with Reverend Gina Spohnheimer officiating. Interment was at Oakwood Cemetery outside of Stratford following the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Calvary United Methodist Church in Stratford.
Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street, Boone, Iowa has assisted the family with these arrangements.
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