Matt Starkson

Services are currently pending.

Matthew Ryan Starkson was born on November 26, 1981, in Rochester, Minnesota, to Brian and Beth (Crandall) Starkson of Dodge Center, Minnesota. Matt arrived on Thanksgiving Day, and when the doctor handed him to his mother, he said, “Here’s your Tom Turkey.” From the very beginning, he was their little butterball.

On November 15, 1985, the family moved to Rossie, Iowa. Matt attended school in Royal and later Clay Central–Everly, graduating in 2000. He went on to college in Emmetsburg, Iowa, where he studied Travel and Tourism—and that education truly came in handy. Matt loved to travel and embraced every opportunity to see the world.

Throughout his life, Matt held many different jobs, but he had a true gift for working in human resources. He worked at Menards in Spencer and spent many years at EPS in Graettinger. Matt had a unique ability to be calm, fair, and professional, while still having fun. He got along with just about everyone (and no—he was not adopted). His kindness, fairness, and sense of humor made him someone people genuinely enjoyed working with.

Matt served as Mayor of Rossie for 15 years, stepping down from that role at the end of this year. True to his nature, Matt rarely held just one job at a time. He also worked for Thrasher’s at their trade shows for many years, where he especially enjoyed meeting new people. Travel remained one of Matt’s greatest passions, and he shared many adventures with a close-knit group of friends, usually taking trips together twice a year.

Most recently, Matt traveled to Hawaii with his friends—who gets to say that?

His parents never worried about him during his travels, knowing that he and his friends always looked out for one another. For that, the family extends a heartfelt thank you—love you guys.

Matt is survived by his parents, Brian and Beth Starkson of Rossie, Iowa; his sister, Nasha Starkson of Spencer, Iowa; his brother, Jeremy Starkson of Rossie, Iowa; his aunt, Amy (Pete) Swanson of Kasson, Minnesota; uncles Robert (Kathy) Crandall, Allen Starkson, and Randy Starkson, all of Dodge Center, Minnesota; cousins Missy, Heather, Robert Jr., Damian, Brandi, Sara, Eli, Bobby, Gary, Jennifer, Steven, and Chad; and many cherished friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Harvey and Edith Crandall and Russel Starkson; and his aunts, Connie Meyer, Pauline Ball, and Linda Starkson.

Arrangements by Geelan Funeral Home.