Darrel Starr, 82, Orofino

Darrel Starr passed away peacefully in his home on March 25, 2023. Born on April 14, 1940, he was a couple of weeks shy of his 83rd birthday. Darrel was born to two of Southwick, Idaho’s pioneering families and spent the warm months of his childhood on his parents’ homestead on Musselshell Meadows. During the colder months Darrel moved to Pierce, ID, with his mother and siblings to attend school. Darrel had fond memories of his time living at the Musselshell and returned to visit often.

As a young adult, Darrel worked at Jaype mill in Pierce, Idaho. During the 1970’s he began working in area nursing homes and it was there that he met his future wife, Deborah. The two were married in June 1979, and moved to Medical Lake, WA, for a short period of time before moving to Orofino, Idaho, and work at the Alcohol Treatment Unit of State Hospital North. Shortly after returning to Orofino, on Mother’s Day in 1981, Darrel and Deborah welcomed their daughter, Amanda, to the world. While working for State Hospital North, Darrel earned his license as a Licensed Practical Nurse through a state sponsored program. Darrel was very well liked by nursing staff and coworkers and his sense of humor was often commented on.

Darrel was an avid outdoorsman and spent his days off hiking, hunting, fishing, camping, and shooting. When the weather was terrible he could often be found reading the latest issue of a hunting or outdoors magazine.

Darrel is preceded in death by his parents, John and Bonnie Starr, and siblings Kenneth Starr, Marleen (Starr) Trammel, and Donald Starr. He is survived by his wife, Deborah, daughter Amanda (Monte) Renzelman, and several nieces and nephews.

The family will be hosting a small gathering in remembrance of Darrel on April 27, at 11 a.m. at the Krystal Café in Orofino.