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Stark, Arthur 'Art' Leo
Arthur “Art” Leo Stark, 89, of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, July 11, 2012, at Mercy Medical Center. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 16, at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW. Entombment will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 until 7 p.m. today at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids.
Arthur was born Sept. 17, 1922, in Rake, S.D., the son of Leo and Leona (Reuter) Stark. Art grew up on the farm in the Martelle and Anamosa area. The family raised dairy cattle.
He joined the ranks of the Golden Gloves and was known as “The Martelle Mauler.” During his proud boxing career he fought on the Battleship Missouri and also in Chicago as the top ranked heavyweight.
Art married Ruth Ann Musil on Aug. 14, 1951, in Iowa City.
Art owned a very successful excavation company for over 55 years, Stark Excavation, now known as Starks Complete Lawn Care, Landscaping, & Snow Removal, Inc. He did work for many Eastern Iowa cities, as well as many projects for the state of Iowa. He also did agricultural tiling and excavating for many large farms in the surrounding communities and towns.
Throughout his retirement years, Art took care of commercial properties in the Cedar Rapids area, including snow removal and lawn care.
He enjoyed collecting Indian artifacts, antiques, going to sales, swap meets, flea markets and auctions.
The time spent with family was very important to him. He will be greatly missed.
Art is survived by his wife, Ruth; his children, Arthur W. “Buck” (Debbie) Stark of Cedar Rapids, Sue (Steve) Marek of Wisconsin, Lisa Stark, Scott Stark and Baron Stark, all of Cedar Rapids, and Eric Stark of Norway; four grandchildren, Garrett, Crystal, Jake and Shelby; a brother, William “Bill” Stark; a nephew, Haven Stark; and sister-in-law, Irene Detert of Cedar Rapids.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Leona Stark.
Memorials may be directed to Camp Courageous.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.
Published July 15, 2012 in The Gazette
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