Calvin Starzl

Calvin Henry Starzl, age 73, of Yankton, South Dakota, died Friday, April 19, 2024, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM, Thursday, April 25, 2024, at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Yankton, South Dakota with Reverend Bob Lacey officiating.  Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Yankton.  Visitation is from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton, South Dakota, with a rosary and vigil service at 7:00 PM.

Pallbearers will be Joe Mutschelknaus, Andrew Starzl, Doyle Stevens, Jeff Hansen, Todd Salonen, David Koerner, Craig Harskamp, and Jacob Parsons.

Calvin Starzl was born May 5, 1950, in Canova, South Dakota, to Wencl and Evelyn (Heller) Starzl.   He grew up and attended school in Carthage, South Dakota.  He married Lynn Kieffer on December 31, 1971 and moved to Yankton, South Dakota, where Calvin worked at the State Hospital.  He then started his lifelong career as a truck driver.  He drove all over the United States first for Jim Jensen, then Hirschbach Trucking, then for 25 years for Hydro and most recently for Premium Best Trucking.  He made friends and built relationships all over the country during his travels.

Calvin loved woodworking and built many items including Adirondack chairs for the Sacred Heart School Gala, bookshelves and shelving for Sacred Heart School, the big chair and swing at Mazing Acres Pumkin Patch, tables and chests for his family and jewelry boxes and treasure boxes for his children and grandchildren.   He enjoyed reading, hunting, fishing, and gardening.  He loved playing board games with his family and spending time with his grandchildren.   Every decision he made was always out of love for his wife and for his family.

Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Lynn Starzl of Yankton, South Dakota; eight children: Stacy (Jeff) Hansen of Yankton; Nick (Danielle) Starzl of Yankton; Jenny (Todd) Salonen of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Elizabeth (David) Koerner of Yankton; Megan (Craig) Harskamp of Sioux Falls; Thomas (Amy) Starzl of Winsor, Colorado; Katie (Jacob) Parsons of Pierre, South Dakota; and John Starzl of Yankton; 32 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; three brothers: Kenny Starzl of Watertown, South Dakota; Randy (Deb) Starzl of Crooks, South Dakota; and Albert Starzl of Mitchell, South Dakota; sister, Wendy (Dale) Currier of De Smet, South Dakota; sister-in-law, Alice Starzl of Perham, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Debi (Nick) Kaufman of Anniston, Alabama; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert Starzl; and two grandchildren, Josie Winterringer and William Salonen.