Jeff was born October 4, 1955 at Cavalier, ND to Louis and Maida (Wallin) Stark. He grew up in the Cavalier area and graduated from Cavalier High School in 1973. Jeff attended NDSU-Bottineau, then returned to Cavalier and worked for various farmers. He worked for Warren Hartje Farms for 15 years, James Brown Farm for over 30 years until he “semi-retired.” Jeff came out of retirement and worked for Morrison Farms until his cancer diagnosis in 2022.
On June 1, 1979, Jeff married the love of his life, Deborah McLeod in Cavalier. Together they shared life’s many adventures and raised three children, of which Jeff was so proud of and loved very much.
He was a lifelong member of the United Lutheran Church, serving on church council and various committees. Jeff enjoyed attending his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. Other things he enjoyed were completing wood projects in his workshop, planting a large vegetable garden and sharing the surplus, and tending Deborah’s many beautiful flower gardens. Jeff was an avid jigsaw puzzler, loved to read, and work crosswords.
Jeff is survived by his wife, Deborah, son, Brian (Chantel Miller), Fargo, ND, daughters, Katie Kline, Roseau, MN, and Sarah (Marcus) Lee, Grand Fork, ND. Jeff was “Papa” to seven beautiful granddaughters: Brianna, Natalie, Brooklyn, Greta, Elin, Marit and Ida and bonus grandchildren, Carson and Cambry Miller. He is also survived by his sister, Jodi Dub (Bob Mushitz), Grand Forks, ND, brothers and sisters-in-law: Arlene and Doug Herzog, Grand Forks, ND, Larry and Julie McLeod, Kingman, AZ, Kelly and Kris McLeod, Neche, ND, and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents, mother and father-in-law, unborn infant, and brother-in- law, Allen McLeod.
In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Growing Hope in Pembina County or the Cavalier Ambulance Service.