Mary Stark

Funeral services for Mary Stark, 92, of Baker, will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Baker, with Pastor Mike Davis officiating. Burial will follow at Bonnievale Cemetery.


Family will receive friends for Mary from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Baker.


Mary passed away Wednesday, April 10, 2019 at Superior Care Villa in Baker.


Mary was born July 30, 1926 in Fargo, ND, to John and Cecilia (Murphy) Mack. Due to the depression and conditions of a broken marriage, the family became scattered to different family members and Mary was placed in an orphanage in MN. When the family received word of this, they immediately got permission to have her released. After all the necessary adoption papers were completed Mary, at the age of 7, became a true member of the James and Martha Murphy Family and moved to Baker, MT. She attended school in Baker graduating from Baker High School. After she graduated she went on to attend nursing school. Mary met Earl Stark Jr. of Carlyle, and the two were united in marriage on January 13, 1946 in Baker, MT. To this union three children were born: Rick, Shari, and Gini. Together they raised their children on the family ranch North of Baker. After Earl’s passing on July 16, 1960, Mary moved to town and began working at Baker National Bank. Mary later married Wayne “Pork” Stark on August 11, 1962 in Baker, MT. Mary and her children lived in Baker until 1966 where she continued working at the bank. Following her retirement, they moved back to the farm.  Due to failing health, they later moved back into town. Mary spent the last eight years of her life at Superior Care Villa.


Mary was a charter member of the Baker Cowbells and was a very active member throughout the years. She enjoyed feeding the birds and squirrels and doing word searches. Mary had a love for art, as she was often found painting or sketching. She especially loved and cherished her grandkids, great-grandkids, and great-great-grandkids.


Mary is survived by her son Rick Stark, and his son, Mike (Cindy) Stark, and their children Tristan, Travis, and Jessica Stark; daughter Shari Singer, and her sons; Dale (Christina) Singer, and his children Paige (Justin) Morse, Shonee, Shania, and Shastin Singer and his grandchildren, Leighton and Thatcher Morse; Gary Singer, and his children Bailey, Tristan, and Kasey Singer; and Kelly (Stacy) Singer, and their children Riley and Emma Singer; and daughter Gini Knipfer, and her daughters, Debbie (Brian) Gibson and their children Ronnie and Marie Gibson, and Dixie (Jess) Schulz and their children, Jess and Joel Schulz; sister-in-law, Laura Bruha, and several nieces and nephews.


She is preceded in death by her parents, James and Martha Murphy; husbands, Earl Stark Jr. and Wayne “Pork” Stark; brothers, Harry Houston, Pat Murphy, and Mike Murphy; and sister Margaret Murphy Anderson; sons-in-law, Ronald Knipfer and Roger Singer.


Stark Mary


Burial Date: April 17, 2019
Funeral Home Baker, MT

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Baker.
Family Receiving Friends: 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Bake