Surn Aurelius Starks, age 66 passed away on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at his home in Lincoln, NE.
Surn was born in Miller, S.D. on January 30, 1951 to Richard and Margaret (Parmely) Starks. He was raised in Valentine, NE and graduated from Valentine High School in 1969.
In the early 1970’s he moved to Lincoln, making it his permanent home. He met and after two dates married Joann Sintek (Vogel) on November 08, 1974. She has been the love of his life for nearly 43 years.
Surn worked for Meginnis Ford for 20 years making his living as a mechanic and later as the Parts Department Manager. He left Meginnis and ventured out on his own to form Diversified Automotive. He worked alongside his son, Chad for more than 30 years. Diversified was Surn’s life, long after he could no longer turn the wrenches. He worked tirelessly his entire life.
Surn was a kind, compassionate person who cared tremendously about his family. He developed such strong relationships with his customers that they too were like family.
Surn had a very competitive spirit. He enjoyed playing and watching sports, tv westerns such as Laramie, Gunsmoke and Bonanza. He enjoyed bowling especially and was on numerous leagues at Hollywood, Sun Valley and Parkway Lanes in the 1980’s.
Surn is survived by his wife, Joann; children, Tedica Saddler (Jason), Chad Starks (Deidre), Amy Bretta (Dan), Todd Sintek, Blake Sintek, Jeanine Johnson (Randy), and Cindy Wimmer (Frank); mother, Margaret Starks; sisters: Leonda Anglin (Larry), Lafran Preble (Rodger), Stavan Starks, Tammie Waldrop (Bob); brother: Vonn Starks; sister-in-law: Barbara Starks (Pierson); brother-in-law: Ron Vogel (Loyla); 13 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Surn is preceded in death by his father, Richard Starks, brother Crain Starks, Sister Terrill Hendershot (Starks), grandparents Ferrill and Mabel (Barrett) Parmely and William and Ella (Fees) Starks; father and mother in-law Reuben and Marie (Austin) Vogel; sister in-law Marjorie and husband Harold Stimbert.
Visitation will be held June 16, 2017 from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm, with family present from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Wyuka Funeral Home 3600 O Street, Lincoln. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am on June 17, 2017 at Elevate Church, 8251 Pioneers Blvd, Lincoln. Burial 1:00pm at Wyuka Cemetery 3600 O Street, Section 35, Lincoln. Memorials can be made to Tabitha Hospice.
My sympathies
I am so sorry to hear of Surn’s passing. He took extraordinarily good care of my cars for many years; I always relied on Surn’s advice. Please know that I am praying for Surn and the family. I hope you are all comforted by good memories.
Amy and Family,
We are all very sad for the loss of you Dad. We know how hard it has been for you and your family for the last few months. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
GLP Family
RIP Surn…thanks for being good to Jason…
Sorry to read of Surns passding. A good man Nd a great mechanic, follow in his footsteps Chad.
Thoughts and prayers to you.
My condolences to Amy & Dan Bretta and family members on the loss of a loved one.
Got to know Surn and Chad through my many visits to Diversified and came to greatly appreciate their honesty and integrity. I was sorry to read of Surn’s passing in this morning’s paper, so my condolences to his family. Thanks again Surn and keep up the good work Chad.
Joann & family I was so sorry to hear of Surns passing. Don’t know if you will remember me or not but I worked with Surn for years at Meginnis Ford. I worked in the office for over 20 yrs. Surn was very well liked by everyone there. He had a knowledge of parts that could not be compared. He was warm, kind & thoughtful & would help anyway he could. A genuine nice man. May the Lord be your strength as he has been mine. Warm regards,
Carol Palmer Northrop
I had the good fortune of growing up with Surn in Valentine. We were friends and team mates in football and baseball. It was a surprise and good fortune to find we both ended up in Lincoln. I was a customer of Diversified from its beginning in Surn’s garage and into the thriving business he and Chad built. I’m sure I gave them the most customer referrals (many others will make the same claim).
Surn had a strong work ethic and a great deal of compassion for everyone. But more than anything he loved Joann and his family and cared deeply for them. He was a great friend and I will miss him.
My sympathy to his entire family.
I’m fortunate I knew him.
Condolences to the Starks family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your whole family. Psalms 147:3 says God, “heals the broken hearted, and binds up their wounds.” May God bring you comfort and peace.