Ione Showalter

Memorial services for Ione Showalter of Starbuck, Minnesota, will be held on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Fron Lutheran Church in Starbuck, with Reverend Paul Johnson officiating.  Visitation will be Tuesday, January 12, 2021 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Burial will be at Fron Cemetery, rural Starbuck, Minnesota.

There will be a live stream of Ione's service starting at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 13th.  To view the service on the Starbuck Funeral Home website, scroll to the bottom of Ione's page and click the link.

While maintaining social distancing guidelines, we are now able to accommodate gatherings of up to 250 people. The use of face masks by attendees is required, and we will continue taking the necessary steps to keep our facility clean. For those who prefer or require continued precautions, webcasting and/or livestreaming is available in most situations.

Ione Harriet Swensrud, daughter of Elmer and Agnes (Moe) Swensrud, was born June 20, 1936 on a farm in Blue Mounds Township, five miles south of Starbuck, which was always known as “Swensrud Corner.”  She grew up and attended District 95 country school and graduated from Starbuck High School in 1954.  Following her schooling, she worked for a short time as a dental assistant for Dr. Larson and later worked at the Starbuck Times.  She was united in marriage to John Showalter April 14, 1956 at Fron Lutheran Church in Starbuck.  The couple moved to Ely, Minnesota where they raised their four children: Bradley, Brian, Carol and Bruce. They later moved to Babbitt where they lived for several years, along with moving to Pike Sandy for some time, until moving back to her hometown of Starbuck where she lived with her cousin, Leslie Moe who took great care of her.  In 2015, Ione made her home at Holly Ridge in Starbuck.  She continued to live in Starbuck until the time of her death.

Ione was a member of Fron Lutheran Church in Starbuck and the American Legion Auxiliary for over 40 years.  She made weaved rugs and would attend craft shows all over selling her work.  She enjoyed knitting, all arts and crafts, playing bingo and made the best fried chicken.  She also loved her lutefisk, lefse and meatball dinners.  She would never miss the opportunity to attend these meals every year.  She will be remembered by her family for always having Whoppers candy! She will be dearly missed by her friends and family.

Ione passed away Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck.  She was 84 years old.

She is survived by her four children: Bradley (Linda) Showalter of Danvers, Brian (Karla) Showalter of Starbuck, Carol (Ron) Auguston of Chisholm and Bruce (Sharon) Showalter of Buhl; one sister: Judith (Alvin) Kadrmas of Fargo, ND; eleven grandchildren: Megan Showalter, Jared (Tammy) Showalter, Mark (Emily) Showalter, Lisa (Scott) Tingelhoff, Amy (Blair) Plackner, Jeremy (Jennifer) Showalter, Grant (Bridget) Haley, Jennifer Letho, Jackie Letho, Danielle (Ross) Kolp, Kelly (Mike) Shoemaker, and numerous great-grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter-in-law: Sandy Showalter; grandson: Garret Showalter; brother: Orlin Swensrud and cousin: Leslie Moe.

Starbuck Funeral Home in Starbuck is in charge of the arrangements.