Ella Mae Starkey, 93, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025, with her two devoted daughters by her side.
Born in Independence, Iowa, on April 26, 1932, to Luva and Byron Streittmatter, Ella grew up as a proud farm girl. She often shared stories of her childhood, including the dresses her grandmother lovingly sewed from feed sacks patterned with florals and prints. Those early years instilled in her both a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for life’s simple joys.
Ella married the love of her life, James Starkey, on April 28, 1955, in McGregor, Iowa. To this marriage, two daughters were born. In 1966, the family moved to Tacoma, Washington, and in 1972 they settled in Rochester. Ella worked briefly at the Sharon Care Center as a nurse’s aide. After selling their Rochester home in 1987, Ella and James embraced their lifelong dream of traveling the country in their RV and collecting memories, making friendships from coast to coast.
Education was always important to Ella. After leaving school in the eighth grade to help on the family farm, she later returned to her studies and proudly earned her GED from Centralia College while her daughters were in high school—a personal achievement that reflected her determination and perseverance.
More than anything else, Ella’s greatest joy was her family. She poured her love into raising her daughters and cherished her role as a grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She loved reading, puzzle books, and family gatherings, but nothing meant more to her than spending time with those she loved most.
She is survived by her daughters, Lynne Crossen (Martin Leonard) and Debbie (Greg) Ferguson; her sister, Sharon Preuss; her sister-in-law, Jean DeLong; her grandchildren, Mandy (Ron) Hill, Scott (Rocio) Ferguson, and Matt Ferguson; her great-grandchildren, Chavez (Brianna) Secena, Kayden Zeleny, Dreama Secena-Ferguson, Lola Secena-Ferguson, Jimmy Secena-Ferguson, and Tamzin Secena-Ferguson; her great-great-granddaughter, Emma Secena; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ella was preceded in death by her husband, James Starkey; her parents, Luva and Byron Streittmatter; and her sisters, Eileen Sauer, Nileen Hertrampf, Joan Welch, and Lois Streittmatter.
The family would like to thank Providence St. Peter Hospital ER, 5th- and 10th-floor staff, and Providence Centralia Hospital ER and Progressive Care Unit staff for the care they gave Mom during her recent hospital stays. We would also like to thank Assured Hospice Centralia for their care, compassion, and guidance after Mom came home.
A Celebration of Life will be Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sticklin Brown Funeral Chapel, 1437 South Gold, Centralia, Washington. A graveside inurnment will follow from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Grand Mound Cemetery, 6300 183rd Ave. SW, Rochester, Washington, where Ella will be laid to rest beside her beloved James.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ella’s memory may be made to the American Stroke Association (www.stroke.org) or to a charity of your choice.
Ella leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, and devotion. She will be remembered for her laughter, her stories, her courage, and most of all, the family she built and cherished.
