Frederick Karl "Fred"

Stark

Frederick Karl “Fred” Stark, age 87, of Washington, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at Halcyon House under hospice care.

A funeral service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at the United Presbyterian Church with Pastor Alyssa Nantt and Pastor Erin Kaye officiating. Calling hours will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home, where the family will be present to receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A private family interment will be held at Elm Grove Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed on the United Presbyterian Church website (upcwash.org) and can be viewed on the church's Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to the Washington Municipal Band. Online condolences may be sent to Fred’s family at www.jonesfh.com.

Fred was born on July 9, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of William and Margaret (Bieber) Stark. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Wartburg College in 1962 and completed graduate work at the University of Iowa.

Fred dedicated 37 years to teaching elementary school band before retiring in 2001. He spent nine years at Mt. Ayr Community Schools, 25 years at Washington Schools, and also taught at Calamus Community Schools. Throughout his career, he was an active member of the Iowa Band Association, Washington Municipal Band, National Education Association, Iowa State Education Association, Iowa Association of Classroom Teachers, and Iowa Music Educators Association. He served on numerous boards and committees over the years, sharing his knowledge and passion for music education with others.

Fred also devoted much of his time to public service and community involvement. He served three terms on the Washington City Council and was a member of the Washington Historical Preservation Committee and Washington Chamber Ambassadors. He was active in the Masonic Lodge and dedicated 34 years to the Washington Lions Club, including serving as president of the Washington club in 1995 and as state parliamentarian from 1990 to 1998. Fred was also a member of the United Methodist Church, where he formerly sang in the choir and served as a Sunday School leader.

He is survived by his son, David Stark of Chicago, Illinois; daughter, Julie (Glenn) Haney of Roeland Park, Kansas; and brother, Richard Stark of Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Nancy Stark, in 2023; and one daughter in infancy, Susan Ann Stark.