Wendell Eugene Starr

Hastings resident Wendell Eugene Starr, 88, passed away Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at Mary Lanning Healthcare, Hastings, NE.  

Services are 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 14, at Faith Lutheran Church in Hastings with Pastor Paul Dunbar officiating. Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery in Hastings. Memorials may be given to Faith Lutheran Church. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. The service will be live-streamed on Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home’s website. To view the service, go to Wendell’s obituary and click the play button shown towards the bottom of the page.

Wendell was born to Carl & Clara (Plum) Starr on July 3, 1935, in Hastings, NE. He lived on a farm near Hastings and went to District 57 Country School. Wendell graduated from Hastings High School in 1953 and 1957 from the University of Nebraska College of Agriculture. He served in the National Guards.

Wendell and his father Carl were co-founders of NC+ Hybrids Seed Corn Company and he was a charter member of NC+ Hybrids. In the 1970s he helped design a new seed dryer which became the first of five which NC+ Hybrids built. He served on the NC+ Board of Directors from 1977-1990.

He was baptized in the Baptist Church in Hastings in 1935. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Hastings since 1984. Wendell was confirmed on July 11, 1984, at Emanuel Lutheran Church in York and his bible verse was John 3:16.

On October 19, 1984, Wendell married Frances Ehlers at Emanuel Lutheran Church in York, NE. They made their home north of Hastings. Wendell was also a past Hastings Rural fireman.

Wendell & Frances enjoyed traveling in the winter months, spending time with pets, planting trees, and working on the farm. 

Wendell was preceded in death by his parents.

SURVIVORS:

Beloved Wife:                                   
    Frances Starr – Hastings, NE

Sons & Spouses:                                
    Joel & Velva Starr – Hastings, NE

    James & Deb Starr – Hastings, NE
Grandchildren:                                  
    Adam Starr – Hastings, NE
    Edward Starr – Hastings, NE

    Nathan Starr – Hastings, NE

    John Starr – Hastings, NE
Step-Sons & Spouse:                         
    James & Pam Ehlers – York, NE

    Allen Ehlers – York, NE

    Steven Ehlers – York, NE

Step-Grandchildren & Spouses:        
    Eric & Justine Ehlers – York, NE

    Aaron & Morgan Ehlers – York, NE

    Angela & Spencer Czarnick – York, NE

    Kendell Ehlers – York, NE
Step-Great-Grandchildren:               
    Evie Ehlers

    Elijah Ehlers
    Jessie Ehlers                                                  
    Cooper Czarnick

    Chase Czarnick

    Cohn Czarnick

    Crimsym Czarnick

Sister & Spouse:                                                
    Jane & Ray Drake – Hot Springs, AR