Talitha Stark, 88, formerly of Bethany, Oklahoma, died on August 14th in Chicago, Illinois. She was born on a homestead farm in Beemer, Nebraska on May 24, 1926, the youngest of five children. Talitha was preceded in death by her parents, Eduard and Eleanore Ott; her siblings Lorenz, Arnold, Delilah, and Elwood; and her daughter, Ruth Parmenter. She married Willard Stark on September 7, 1947. Willard, who died in 2004, was the pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Bethany where Talitha worked as parish administrator for many years. She was active in the International Lutheran Womens' Missionary League, where she served as a national officer from 1973-77, and later in the Oklahoma City chapter of the League of Women Voters. Born at a time when women had limited opportunities, she was a strong advocate for leadership roles for women in the church and in the broader society. After their retirement, Talitha and Willard enjoyed traveling in their RV camper. As a side effect of visiting what seemed like every National Park and Forest, they were able to see their children and grandchildren who they had managed to disperse to every corner of the United States. They also participated in the Aid Association for Lutherans Lamplighters Program. They enacted their Christian faith as activists for peace and social justice, traveling to Panama to support a sister congregation and to Nicaragua to protest at the U.S. Embassy. Talitha had a strong work ethic and conveyed that to her five children. More than a statement about how to clean a kitchen counter, "Put some elbow grease into it," was her advice about how to engage in one's life project. She could pinch a penny until it begged for mercy. But sewing her daughters' clothes was not merely a way to save money for it was also an outlet for her creative energies. And her energies were boundless. She is survived by her son, David (Monique Girard), New York City; daughters, Rachel Stark Inch (Les), Chicago; Lois Stark (Dave MacMillan), Salem, Oregon; Rebekah Stark Johnson (Jeff), Hattiesburg, Mississippi; son-in-law, Mark Parmenter, Oklahoma City; seven grandchildren, Emily Ruth Parmenter, Denver; Alexandra Claire Stark, Brooklyn; Benjamin Girard Stark, Brooklyn; Zachary Stark-MacMillan, Eugene, Oregon; Jonas Stark Johnson, Providence, Rhode Island; Sophie Johnson, Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Martin Stark Inch of Chicago, IL. MEMORIAL GIFTS In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the International League of Women Voters of Oklahoma or Grace Lutheran Church, Evanston, IL. Funeral Service Monday, August 18, 2014 10:30 AM Our Savior Lutheran Church 6501 N.W. 23rd St. Bethany, OK 73008