Carole Starika Dean

Carole Starika Dean, born August 23, 1937 in Crested Butte, Colorado went peacefully to be with the Lord on Friday, October 9, 2015 in San Antonio, Texas, at her home, surrounded by loved ones. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph L. Dean; her parents, Frank Starika and Jetina (Gal) Santarelli Starika, and brother Frank Starika. She will be greatly missed by her children Lisa Yeh (Warren), Lora King (Shane), Mark Dean (Mitsue), and Matthew Dean (Jennifer); grandchildren Ryan and Allison Yeh, Aria and Kyrian King, Jacob Dean, and Justin, Taylor, and Tanner Dean, and by the rest of her extended family. She will also be greatly missed by her beloved book club, fellow dog walkers, numerous cherished friends, and her dachshund, Portia.

Carole loved her hometown of Crested Butte with its glorious mountains and its hard-working, polka-dancing, mining community, including family members who emigrated from Italy and Slovenia. After graduating from Beth-El School of Nursing in Colorado Springs, she married her husband of 37 years, Joe (Sonny) Dean from Gunnison, in Crested Butte and joined him as he was stationed with the Air Force in San Antonio and in various cities in Japan. She had a successful career as a compassionate intensive care registered nurse, retiring from Santa Rosa Hospital and an even more impactful role as a loving mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend. She enjoyed dancing, quilting, reading, bible study, poetry writing, gardening, and cooking, especially for family gatherings.

Carole was loved by all, the glue that bound us together and a romantic at heart who was kind to all. She was deeply spiritual and an inspiration to her children and grandchildren and many others whose lives she touched. She worshipped regularly at St. Luke’s Catholic Church where she was a member for 43 years.

Visitation takes place Friday, October 16 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home, 6321 Bandera Road with a rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 17 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 4603 Manitou Drive. A separate service and interment will be held in Crested Butte, Colorado this summer. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 4603 Manitou Drive, 78228 or to the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum, 331 Elk Avenue, Crested Butte, Colorado, 81224.