Barbara A. Starbeck

CEDAR FALLS-Barbara Ann Starbeck, 85, of Cedar Falls, died Saturday, December 11, 2021, at her son’s home in Clear Lake. She was born June 1, 1936, in Gladbrook, Iowa, the daughter of Robert L. and Alma (Kroeger) Taylor. She graduated from the Iowa State Teachers College Laboratory School in 1954 and continued to attend Pitzi’s beauty school to earn her beauty license. On August 31, 1957, she married Robert J. Starbeck, beginning a 50-year marriage until his passing in 2007. Together they raised four lively, and often mischievous, sons. Barb was creative and found endless outlets to express this through crafting, ceramics and refinishing beautiful furniture. Most notable she even had an impressive knack for hanging wallpaper which could be found in many homes throughout the Cedar Valley. She was known for her approachability and humor which fostered endless friendships and laughs throughout the years. Her home was always open for a delicious dinner along with spirited conversation. You could also find Barb on the back of Bob’s Shriner motorcycle participating in a countless number of parades across Iowa. Over the years Bob and Barb combined their skills remodeling and restoring at some point each of the boy’s many homes. As time passed, Barb eagerly welcomed 12 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren into her family. She spent hours caring and playing with them. Barb spent countless hours exploring with them; from the shopping mall to the creek often losing them but calling them in with that ever so loud whistle we all knew too well. Survived by: four sons, Jeffery (Cindy), Scot (Suzanne), and Gregory (Julie) Starbeck, of Cedar Falls and Michael (Lexa) Starbeck of Clear Lake; eleven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; two brothers, Bob (Jane) Taylor of Marshalltown and Bruce (Mary) Taylor of Marion; and Mary Bozarth of Mountain View, CA. Preceded in death by her parents; grandson, Alex Starbeck; brother, Don “Bones” Taylor and brother-in-law, Joe Bozarth. Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 22, 2022, at Prairie Lakes Church in Cedar Falls with a luncheon to follow at Starbeck’s Smokehouse.

Barbara A. Starbeck

June 1, 1936 - December 11, 2021