Wilma F. Stark-Eibner

A deeply cherished and respected woman, Wilma demonstrated love, humor, faith, resilience, compassion, and a witty and engaging spirit throughout her life. She was a dedicated spouse, caring mother, attentive grandmother, proud great-grandmother, loyal friend, supportive sister, and considerate daughter. Wilma approached life with determination, gratitude, and optimism, consistently guided by her faith.

Wilma Fay Freiberger was born April 20th 1932 in Texarkana, Texas alongside her twin brother Winfred Ray Freiberger and was joined a year later by younger sister Barabra Joan Freiberger. She also had five additional half-siblings. Wilma described her childhood growing up during the depression as challenging due to frequent relocations as her father sought employment and housing; consequently, she had limited contact with her mother and half-siblings. A significant influence on Wilma’s early life was her Aunt Varina who provided support and helped her to complete high school. Verina’s daughter, Gwyn, was her teacher. Gwyn and her brother Alvin (Hap) encouraged Wilma to pursue higher education at Oklahoma Presbyterian College (OPC). Wilma graduated from OPC in 1954 with a double major in elementary education and physical education. In 1955 she married the love of her life Dave Stark who she had met at college.

Wilma and Dave settled in Oklahoma and welcomed their three boys Wes, Wade and Wynn. Wilma worked as a middle school teacher and Dave as a high school mathematics teacher. In August,1961 the family moved to the growing town of Phoenix, Arizona. Wilma taught sixth grade at the Roosevelt School District and helped shape the education curriculum for the city. Wilma and Dave were also both heavily involved in scouting, community and church and loved getting outdoors and enjoying the southwest. After Dave’s sudden death in 1971, Wilma continued to teach middle school while transitioning over to Pendergast School District and also taking additional college courses, remaining active in Delta Kappa Gamma and grassroots involvement in the AZ outdoor education program.

In 1979 Wilma married her second husband Dezzor (Dez) Eibner who she found a travel partner in, visiting many places throughout the US and the world. Some of their favorite things were spending time at their trailer near Flagstaff, Arizona, traveling to Europe with friends and spending many summers in Alaska with family there after sons Wes and Wade moved up in the early 1980’s. After Dez’s passing in 1998, Wilma continued her travels and spent summers in Alaska helping with grandkids that knew her as “Granny Fanny.”

Wilma retired from teaching in 1995 after 40 years, although she never really stopped teaching and her joy in finding an occupation she loved so much was always apparent. In retirement Wilma continued to invest her time in helping and teaching others. She spent a great deal of time with her grandchildren including volunteering in their classrooms during the school year and being their number one cheerleader at sporting events, dance recitals or any other type of activity.

Wilma was a United Methodist and active member of the South Mountain Community Church. Some of the things she was most proud of during her time was having the church added to the National Register of Historic Places and advocating to welcome the first LGBTQ congregation to the church. She was also a lifelong member of the Delta Kappa Gamma teaching society where she loved contributing to supporting early-in-career teachers and advancing education practices. For many years she was also on the YMCA camping board, a member of the AEA Delegate Assembly and Charter member of NEA-Retired Teachers.

Wilma will be dearly missed and survived by her sons Wes Stark, Wade Stark, Wynn Stark her daughters-in-law Karin Stark and Sherry Stark, her grandchildren Kyla Hovda (Gerry), Abbey Otzmann (Lance), Katherine Aguilar (Hector), Jes Stark and Calee Stark, and her great grandchildren Coraleigh Otzmann and Hazel Otzmann as well as countless other family and friends. Wilma will have quite a joyful crowd in heaven waiting for her as she is preceded in death by her husbands Dave Stark and Dezzor Eibner, her seven siblings: Winfred Freiburger, Barabra Lowry, Delwin Freiberger, Tommie Robinson, Herschel Robinson, Avanell Robinson & Sis/Bertie Young her parents Jacob F. Freiberger & Laura Ann Phares, her grandson Kyle Pitka Stark as well as many close friends and family.

Although Wilma’s smile, laugh and presence may no longer grace our lives, her spirit, love and teachings will continue to inspire and uplift us. May her memory be a blessing and may we carry forth her legacy of love, compassion, strength and a bit of wit in all that we do.

A celebration of life service will be held October 8 in Phoenix, AZ as well as a second service October 11 in Red Oak, Oklahoma where she will be laid to rest. Our family would like to thank Harvey Kemp and Charles Watkins for their help with the services in Phoenix and Red Oak.

We especially want to thank everyone at Rivendell Care Home, where Wilma spent her final two years, for the excellent care, friendship and unconditional love you provided. Wilma adored you all and you will always be part of our extended family.

Flowers are welcome or as an alternative please consider donating in Wilma’s memory to organizations that were important to her, such as:

Your Religious Congregation. Wilma was a Christian who believed in unity and brotherhood. She was always interested in joining together rather than separation..

Delta Kappa Gamma - Donate to DKG

Any local Food Bank

Wilma F. Stark-Eibner

Memories

While reviewing Wilma’s paperwork, her family found an old survey that captured her responses about her favorite things and wanted to share some of them:

She LOVED milkshakes, usually vanilla but pretty much any flavor would do. Chocolate candy was a familiar “backup” item as well.

"How Great Thou Art," was her favorite song and she was crazy about Susan Boyle.

Flowers were Alaskan Iris’s and white daisies “like the ones in her wedding bouquet”.

Steel Magnolias was her favorite movie and Elizabeth Taylor her top actress

Basketball her favorite sport with the Phoenix Suns being her “Pro” team

Her greatest joy was to spend time with loved ones, attending plays, concerts, sporting events, dining out, church and hosting big dinners and card games at her favorite place in the world, home.

Favorite inspirational poem, “when things seemed too tough”, was Invictus by William Ernest Henlfy.

One of her favorite quotes was “Grief is the price we pay for love” from Queen Elizabeth II, in a letter honoring the victims of the September 11 attacks.

And Wilma’s favorite hobby was visiting with friends and family, which should be no surprise because we all know how she loved to talk.

Back in 1996 Wilma wrote this poem as she was returning from Fairbanks to Phoenix.

Flight

I leave the years behind me as my mind ascends and soars

Baggage full of memories, hopes, dreams and more

The trip of life has had delays, detours and scheduled calls

Now as my mind ascends and soars I must be grateful for it all

Wilma Eibner, Fairbanks airport, August 15, 1996