Alberta Stark

October 18, 1944 – November 2, 2021

This is the story of Alberta Mae Stark, known fondly by many as Bert, who went home to Christ on November 2, 2021. Bert was a wonderful woman who was loved, is missed, and will always be cherished by her friends and family. Our “Grandma Duck,” as she was called by her grandchildren, was an amazing wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, and maker of her famous fudge.

Bert’s story started on October 18, 1944, when she was born as the only child of Albert Garrick and Ethel Elaine Clark in Albuquerque, NM. Prior to Bert’s birth her father Albert gave his life serving his country on July 19, 1944. Bert’s mother was later remarried to her stepfather William Glen Brazell. When Bert was still young, Glen and Elaine moved to Farmington, NM and Bert graduated from Farmington High School in 1962. This is where she met her only boyfriend and the love of her life at the age of 16, Alfred Eugene Stark. Bert and Gene had a beautiful romance and were married in the Church of Christ on June 22, 1962. Bert and Gene built their lives together on the family homestead between Farmington and Bloomfield, where they welcomed David, Christine, and Beckie. They would have celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2022.

Bert was a homemaker for her family and was renowned in the community for her loving heart and bottomless generosity. Bert, with her husband Gene, were active participants in 4H and were the directors of the Chicken Barn for the San Juan County Fair for over 40 years. Bert was an active member of the Street Rodders Car Club where she showed, and won, with her Black 1956 T-Bird. Christy remembers many occasions in recent years while spending time with her mom, Bert’s wish was to spend her day bringing flowers and fudge to her many friends whom she loved and thought of as family.

Bert’s grandchildren were her heart and joy. There’s no denying that her “grand babies,” as she called them, were the people that she loved the most. Time spent at Grandma Duck’s house was very special for her grand babies as they spent countless hours making arts and crafts and chasing ducks around the farm. Parents were discouraged from hanging out for too long.

Loved ones who will be meeting Bert at the gates of heaven include her father Albert Garrick, stepfather William Glen Brazell, mother Ethel Elaine Brazell, and son David Stark. Bert leaves behind her husband Gene Stark, daughters Christy Stark-Grossheim and Beckie Stark, grandchildren Robert “Dalton” Grossheim, Eugene “Colton” Grossheim, Christopher “Trenton” Grossheim (“Bunny” to Bert), Courtney Mihelich, Danielle Stark, and Cheyenne Stark, and 3 great granddaughters. She is also survived by her brother Larry Brazell and sisters Muriel Lee Ginther and Glennette Gleim. And so the story goes on until we see our Bert and our Grandma Duck again. We love you and miss you Mom.

A visitation for Bert will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Thursday evening, November 11, 2021 at Brewer Lee & Larkin Funeral Home, 103 East Ute Street in Farmington.  A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday morning, November 12, 2021 at Eastside Church of Christ, 2012 N. Huntzinger Ave in Farmington.  Burial will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Pallbearers are Dalton Grossheim, Colton Grossheim, Trenton Grossheim, Billy Huish, Dale Cook, Roby Grossheim, Rodney Neidigh, and Phillip Cross.

Bert’s care is entrusted to Brewer Lee & Larkin Funeral Home, 103 East Ute Street in Farmington, (505) 325-8688. Those wishing to express their condolences may do so at www.brewerleelarkinfh.com.