Stark, Marcia Marie (Kopecky)

Marcia Marie (Kopecky) Stark, 93, passed away January 7, 2011, in Kingwood, Texas. Born in Cedar Rapids on Dec. 27, 1917, to Arthur and Marie Kopecky, Marcia was a lifelong Iowan before moving to Texas in 2004.

A natural athlete who enjoyed swimming, diving, tennis and baseball in her youth, Marcia was also a member of the Sokol gymnastics organization and was privileged to have been one of three gymnasts from the Midwest chosen to attend the 1938 (the 10th) Sokol Slet in the former Czechoslovakia. During the year she spent there, Marcia became fluent in the Czech language and briefly taught in the Cedar Rapids Czech School upon her return to States. She also cherished the memories of her travels to Venice, Rome and Florence, escaping Czechoslovakia, just before the Nazis sealed the borders.

On Dec. 31, 1941, she married John L. Stark and they raised two children, Michael and Marcia. She loved reading, music, antiques and animals, especially cats.

Marcia was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years and a brother, George Beals.

She is survived by her son, Michael (Mary) Stark of Anacortes, Wash.; daughter, Marcia Stark (Ken Veenstra) of Splendora, Texas; a sister, Margaret (Beals) Fitch of Montgomery, Texas; and three nieces, Tammy Fitch of Pittsburg, and Lisa Fitch and Marcyann Fitch-Coville (Ron Coville) of Montgomery, Texas. Also grandsons, Jamie Stark (Tanya Foxhoven) of Denver, and Brian (Bridget) Stark; great-grandson Brody Stark of Fairbank; and former daughter-in-law, Anne Bender of Jesup.

Marcia's and John's ashes were interred at Cedar Memorial Cemetery at a private family gathering to honor their memories.

Donations in Marcia's memory may be made to Sokol Cedar Rapids Inc., 5200 18th Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404; or the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, 87 16th Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.