William Edward Stark

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Stark, William Edward Age 52, died of pancreatic cancer at home in Minneapolis on August 12, 2017. He is survived and will be greatly missed by his husband, Kevin L. Olsen; sister, Maryanna Adelman; nephew Robbie Adelman; and niece, Anna Adelman. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert E. Stark and Mary Bovaird Stark and brother-in-law, David K. Adelman. Will, also known as Ted, was born on April 18, 1965 in Kansas City, Mo. He grew up in Prairie Village, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City, and graduated from Shawnee Mission East High School in 1983, where he played saxophone and tuba in the band, sang in the choir, and performed in musical theater. This early love of music continued throughout his life. He spent a summer in Finland during high school and was an active member of the Village Presbyterian Church youth group. He graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX, where he majored in religion. After college he worked in Washington, DC for 10 years before returning to graduate school for his Master of Arts in Historic Preservation Planning from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. After graduate school, Will moved to St. Paul, MN, to work in historic preservation planning and in 2007 he started his own consulting business. Throughout his life, Will's warmth, generosity, creativity, and curiosity sparked deep connections and lasting friendships. Will had a great sense of adventure expressed in his travels across Europe, Africa, South America, Asia and the United States. Will and Kevin also made frequent trips to their cabin in Wisconsin where he enjoyed the broad views and time with friends. Traveling to visit friends and hosting was one of his greatest pleasures. Among Will's most cherished relationships, Kevin stood out, and their marriage and partnership was his greatest treasure. Will and Kevin have been together for 14 years as of this week and were married on June 4, 2011. Will was involved in many volunteer activities including as a board member and chair of the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota, a founder of the Friends of Christ Church Lutheran and in many roles at his congregation, Christ Church Lutheran. He will be remembered as a kind and loving man with a warm heart, an easy laugh, and a gift for making and keeping friends throughout the many facets of his life. A service of word, song, and prayer will be held at 2pm on Saturday, August 19, 2017 at Christ Church Lutheran, 3244 34th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN, with visitation one hour prior and a reception to follow. Memorials can be directed to Christ Church Lutheran christchurchluth.org or to the preservation non-profit, Friends of Christ Church Lutheran friendsofccl.org Bradshaw 612-724-3621

Published on August 16, 2017