Delia A. “Dee” Starr

Longtime Palmer resident Delia A. “Dee” Starr, 73, died Jan. 21, 2011, at her rural Palmer home.

Delia was born March 19, 1937, in Lethbridge, Canada, the daughter of Orvin LeRoy and Minnie Aileen (Fuller) Young. She graduated high school in Warner, Alberta, Canada, and in 1980 decided to make Palmer her home. Since her arrival in Alaska, she and her family have owned and operated Mountain View R.V. Park, Starr Trucking and Mt. View Knik Glacier Tours.

A devoted member of the Women of the Moose, Dee spent hours volunteering with the lodge. She was a fan of NASCAR and especially Jeff Gordon, but most of all, Dee loved the special times she spent with her grandchildren.

Dee’s family wrote: “She was the best Mom! She touched the lives of people from all around the world. She was very independent and outspoken, but she was also willing to give you the shirt off of her back if you needed it.”

Her daughter-in-law Amanda fondly recalled that when she met Dee’s son, Shawn: “Well, you need a mother and I need a daughter!” It was a perfect match. Dee had a grand sense of humor, was an excellent cook and would argue any point with any person at any time — and Dee was always right!

Survivors include her son, Shawn and wife Amanda; grandchildren, Erika, Alexa, Kamryn, Daykota, Sayje, Shawna and Jaymes; sisters and husbands, Barbara and Jim Carter of Kennewick, Wash., and Carol and Fred Rardin of Bouse, Ariz.; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of special friends throughout the world.

Dee was preceded in death by her husband, Fowler “Red” Starr; son, Scott; her parents, Orvin and Minnie; and two brothers.

Memorial services will be held Friday, Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. at the Palmer Moose Lodge. Her cremated remains, and those of her husband, son and mother. will be scattered on the Knik Glacier. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Palmer Women of the Moose. Valley Funeral Home’s Palmer Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.