Aberdeen: Edith Starnes, 85, Aberdeen, SD, formerly of DeSmet, SD, died Tuesday, August 2, 2011, at Angelhaus Regional Basic Center in Aberdeen.
A memorial service has been set for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 6, 2011, at the United Church Of Christ in Erwin, SD, with the Rev. Marjie Brewton officiating. Lunch will follow at the Erwin American Legion Hall. Burial will be in the DeSmet Cemetery.
Visitation hours will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, August 5, at Osthus Funeral Home in DeSmet.
Edith McKittrick was born February 21, 1926, to parents, Emmett James and Caroline (Grothe) McKittrick, at Lake Preston, SD. She grew up in the DeSmet area. She attended the Johnson Country School through the eighth grade.
She was united in marriage to Alvin Akkerman in 1942. The couple farmed in the Spirit Lake area where they raised their family.
Edith married Kenneth Starnes in 1972. They lived in Oregon, where they owned and operated a hardware store for 20 years. They retired in 1993 and moved back to an acreage in the DeSmet area.
Edith enjoyed gardening, bowling, golfing, playing cards, and loved to entertain for her family events. She was an active member of the United Church Of Christ in Erwin, SD.
Survivors include two sons, Gary (Terri) Akkerman, DeSmet, SD, and Larry (Char) Akkerman, Bath, SD; four daughters, Beverly (Steve) Miedema, Springfield, SD, Bonnie (Marshall) Dennert, Madison, SD, Becky (Richard) Wolff, Leola, SD, and Gale Anderson, Chandler, AZ; 14 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Kenneth in 2006, 5 brothers, Cecil, Marvin, Virgil, Earl and Emmett Jr., one infant son, Gerald A. Akkerman, and one grandson, Matthew Arens.
