Daniel Kenneth Starch

Daniel was born on March 10, 1958 in Robbinsdale, MN to Kenneth and Janet Starch. Daniel was their third child, and had three wonderful sisters: Dwan (the first born), Debbie (second born), and a younger sister, Diane.

Daniel graduated from Coronado High School in 1976. He also earned two Associate post-college degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Computer Science; and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Colorado in 1987.

Daniel met his spouse, Molly Malone, in 1981 in the College Seekers Class at First Presbyterian Church. They dated for two years and then were married on July 22, 1983, in Colorado Springs, CO at First Presbyterian Church. They served Young Life together in Colorado, Australia, and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Their daughter, Annie Dwan Starch, was born in Victoria. When Annie was just 3 months old, Daniel and Molly moved back to Colorado Springs in September of 1989, and their son, Taylor Daniel Starch, was born in November of 1990. Daniel and Molly spent the next 20 years in the Springs raising their kids. During those 20 years, Daniel also worked at Grand West Outfitters for seven years, Home Depot for three years, and then worked in maintenance, home repair, and trim carpentry.

In 2008, Daniel and Molly bought their first mountain home on Young Life’s Trail West property in Buena Vista, Colorado. During that time, Daniel worked as a prison guard at the Buena Vista Correctional Complex (BVCC). In 2010, Daniel and Molly sold their Buena Vista home and moved to beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. There, Daniel worked at the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department, while Molly was serving with UW Sports Ministry. In May of 2013, Daniel and Molly moved to Antelope, OR where they lived and served at Young Life’s Washington Family Ranch Camp. Later that year, Daniel and Molly moved back to Colorado, and this time got to live back in the Colorado mountains in Florissant, CO. During this time, Daniel served as the Victor, CO Postmaster.

In September of 2015, Molly accepted the job as North Idaho’s Young Life Area Director, and they moved back up to Coeur d’Alene, where they served for 5 years. Next, God called them to serve in Flagstaff, AZ from January 2020 to September 2021. At that point, Daniel and Molly headed to western Washington, living in Bellingham and Sumas, WA until the summer of 2023. In July 2023, they moved to Colville, WA where they resided for one year until their return to Colorado Springs in August of 2024.

Three months after arriving in Colorado, Daniel was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer which began a very difficult year of chemotherapy, multiple ER visits and hospital stays and finally a major surgery in April of 2025 to remove the cancerous tumor and several organs in hopes of ridding his body of cancer. Daniel spent the next 6 months gaining back his strength, finally regaining the ability to drive, enjoy life, and spend time with his friends and family.

In December of 2025, Daniel realized his dream of owning a home and property again in the Colorado mountains, and in mid-January 2026, the couple moved back to Florissant, CO. Daniel got to enjoy seven short weeks at his new mountain home, pouring his heart and soul into working on all the necessary fixes – his gifting of home maintenance, painting, and trim carpentry. He worked clear up to his final two weeks of life until his very tired body began to give out after his long, physical journey of eight years and two months.

One week prior to his passing, it was discovered that his cancer had returned, only this time in his liver and abdominal cavity. The doctor at diagnosis stated that he had a few days to a week, and Daniel lasted exactly one week. God’s handprints were all over the timing and how the week played out. Daniel's younger sister Diane and her husband Byron gave us a special gift by flying out from Kansas and spent their 4 days here sitting by his side, praying and helping me to navigate the week. Daniel’s other two sisters, Dwan, Debbie and her husband, Steven were also a tremendous help and all got to see or visit with him, in addition to his kids, grandkids, and his closest friends. Daniel had a beautiful ending with Molly, his two sisters,brother-in-law, Bryon Cole and his best friend, Randy Eims, all circled around his bed. Randy prayed for Daniel; he took his last breath and passed. We are blessed to know that Daniel is now with His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Heaven.

Daniel is survived by his wife of 43 years, Molly Malone Starch; his two children, Annie Dwan Starch Bradford (Chris), and Taylor Daniel Starch; and 4 grandchildren, Radley Bradford, Cooper, Avery, and Toren. He is also survived by his 3 sisters, Dwan Bounds, Deb (Steven) Haworth, and Diane (Bryon) Cole; nieces and nephews Kendra & Tommy Higgins, Darcy and Adam Highfill, Tyler and Julie Lindt, Tanner and Heather Lindt, Landon and Emily Cole, Judson and Bree Cole, Sarah Cole; and many great-nieces and great-nephews, Haven Higgins, Triumph Higgins, Justice Higgins, Jalyn Highfill, Bria Highfill, Cam Lindt, Drew Lindt, Dylan Lindt, Carter Lindt, Faith Lindt, Ellie Cole, Karter Cole, and Kynlee Cole. Daniel was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Janet Starch.

Services for Daniel will be held at a later date and time.

You can honor Dan's legacy by giving a gift to one of the ministries where he and Molly served:

Give to Young Life: https://giving.younglife.org/s/?utm_source=Web&utm_medium=Button&utm_campaign=MinistrySite_younglife.org

Give to Childcare Worldwide: https://childcareworldwide.org/give