Therese Agnes (Ritter) Starks

Therese Agnes Ritter Starks

Therese Agnes Ritter Starks, a vibrant and faithful member of the southside Catholic community for nearly 93 years, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 23rd, 2020.  She requested that her earthly body be donated to the IU Medical School and her ashes have now been returned to the family. 

Friends and family will gather for visitation on Saturday, November 27, 2021 from 9 to 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1530 Union St., where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m.  Burial of her ashes will follow in St. Joe/Holy Cross Cemetery. 

Many loving arms have welcomed her into heaven as she is preceded in death by her husband Jack Starks, her children Kathleen and Christopher, her parents Henry and Clara (Mayer) Ritter, and her siblings Joe, Romilda, Helen, and Dorothy.

Therese was the mother of 11 children who grew up within Holy Name, St Christopher, Sacred Heart, and St Jude parishes.  Therese, with the help of her husband, Jack, instilled in all their children and grandchildren the importance of family and hard work. Whether teaching them how to care for a child, tend a garden, cook a meal, play cards, or be a peacemaker, Therese dedicated her life to nurturing and caring for those around her. Therese sustained her family and her faith through strength, commitment, and a loving heart that always had room for more. Each of her siblings, children and their spouses, grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren, and multitude of nieces, nephews, and children's friends were made to feel special by her attention and care. Friends were also an important part of Therese's life, whether they were newly met or carried forward from her childhood years.

Her laughter and adventurous spirit will be missed by many.

She is survived by her sister Mary Weingardt; her children, Steven (Rosina Laker), Nancy Stumpp, Beth (Don) Ferguson, Bob (Jay Cassady), Tom, Jackie (Bob) Heinzelman, Clara (Dan) Nehmer, Barbara, and Andy (Carol Wyckoff); 27 grandchildren and 43 great and great-great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Franciscan Hospice House or to Sacred Heart Parish.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.LauckFuneralHome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Therese Agnes (Ritter) Starks, please visit our floral store.