Art Starbeck

God welcomed Arthur Chester Starbeck, Jr., age 89, of Montevideo, MN, to his eternal home in heaven on January 26, 2012 following a brief hospitalization in the Chippewa County ? Montevideo Hospital. The eldest of two sons, Art was born on October 5, 1922 in Montevideo, MN, to Arthur Chester Starbeck, Sr., and Ella Starbeck. Art was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith, grew up and graduated from high school in Montevideo. Turned away by the Army due to asthma, he left for California to work in the North American Aircraft plant. His fiancée, Phyllis L. Mattson, soon left Willmar and joined Art in California from where they hitch-hiked to AZ, to be married in a small wedding chapel in Yuma on August 16, 1942. The newlyweds then traveled to Colfax, WA, where Art worked for a cousin on his wheat ranch. It was there that their daughter, Audrey Judith, was born in July of 1943 and they decided to move back to Montevideo and a more permanent position with the Milwaukee Railroad. A second child, Robert Wayne, came along in December of 1944 and a small home, to be remodeled and enlarged several times, was built on east Hwy 212 with the help of Art's father-in-law, Walter Mattson. Art was employed by the Milwaukee Road, first as a fireman and lastly as an engineer until he retired in 1985. With his wife, Phyllis, Art also partnered in ownership and management of the very successful Valley Nursery on Hwy 212 from 1956 until 1965. Art had many interests and possessed numerous talents. Musically, he had a wonderful voice and played guitar, saxophone and tinkered on the keyboard. He spent many hours relaxing in his basement music room listening to various jazz artists on LP's. He was a dedicated ?rock hound? with a collection of specimens ranging from a petrified turtle and cave crystals to Lake Superior agates and Montana moss agates that he shaped and smoothed to create beautiful jewelry for Phyllis. He and Phyllis loved travelling and camping in the western states, making many trips to California, even owning two building lots in Morro Bay, CA, with intentions of retiring overlooking the ocean that they both loved. Too far from the growing family of grandchildren, those lots were eventually sold. He was a talented landscaper and an avid gardener who grew an abundance of fruits and vegetables that he always shared with friends and neighbors. His gardens never had weeds! He loved geraniums and mums and always had lush flower beds. A gourmet chef, he tried his hand at everything from grilling to baking bread with his specialty being ?Swedish pancakes? which were requested by every grand-child who visited up to just three weeks ago. He made keepsakes from wood and wire and for a number of years brewed some very tasty batches of home-made wines and beers. He was an outstanding photographer of nature and scenery with a natural eye for composition which made common objects appear extraordinary. Many of his enlarged and framed prints have been exhibited in Montevideo and Aberdeen, S.D. libraries at various times. Once an avid hunter and fisherman, in his later years he preferred to photograph wildlife. Physical fitness was very important to Art, who rode his bicycle to Granite Falls and back several times a week after retiring and when he started to slow down, still went with his walker and oxygen up to a mile a day, right up to the week before his life ended. This was a humble man with a large heart and a generosity of spirit and means that helped many people he encountered during his life. Art always looked for the best in others. He gently, lovingly and faithfully cared for Phyllis in her last years as her health deteriorated. He was adored by all his family for his sense of humor, good listening ears, hugs and appreciation for even the smallest of favors. He loved and appreciated every facet of nature and his dogs were his very special companions, especially after he became widowed in 2000. He delighted in visitors at his home, named ?Paradise Acres?, where he entertained them with his interest in and knowledge of so many subjects. His one wish was granted, that he be allowed to live in his home until he died, when his son, Bob, retired and came to live with him in 2009. Preceded in death by his parents, Arthur C. Starbeck, Sr. in 1938 and Ella (Tweter) Starbeck in 1976. Also by his brother, Robert F. Starbeck, in 1997 and his beloved wife, Phyllis in 2000. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Myrtle Starbeck, his two children, Audrey (Gene) Aune and Robert W.(Vicki) Starbeck. Also his grandchildren, Pamela (Robert) Haugerud, Susan (Daren) Pederson, David Aune, Eric Aune, Tamala (Rick) Schmitz, Patrick (Katie) Starbeck, Michele Starbeck and Robert Starbeck. Great-grand children Erica Hochstetler, Bryan Haugerud, Kaity Haugerud, Natalie Haugerud, Jackson Pederson, Nicolas Pederson, Makayla Aune and Tyler Aune, Ricky Joe Schmitz, Alexis Schmitz & Callim Schmitz. Great-great-grandchildren Ethan Hochstetler, Conner Hochstetler, Michael Hochstetler, Carter Hochstetler and Isabella Hochstetler.