Bessie (Holen) Starr
Owl Spirit Woman
(Idakuba Iraaxi Wia)
August 30, 1949-July 24, 2020
Bessie (Holen) Starr, 70, Twin Buttes, ND passed away on Friday, July 24, 2020 peacefully at her home.
Bessie was born August 30, 1949 in Elbowoods, ND to Roy C. and Agnes (Medicine Stone) Holen. Bessie was raised in Twin Buttes on her dad’s ranch.
Bessie attended elementary school in Twin Buttes, graduating in May 1964. Bessie attended high school, grades 9-11, at Flandreau Indian School. She later received her GED on July 16, 1975. Later in life, she went on to receive many college credits from various colleges and universities in North Dakota.
On February 18, 1968, Bessie married Milton “Dusty” Starr. They were married for 36 years until the time of his passing. They made their home in Twin Buttes, where they raised and educated their sons. Bessie and Dusty strongly believed in the Twin Buttes School system.
Bessie was involved in education for many years. She began her career in education working for the Three Affiliated Tribes Headstart program in the Fall of 1970 through the Fall of 1977. In the Fall of 1981, Bessie later moved on to the “big school”. Here she was the Special Education/Speech paraprofessional until her retirement in 1993.
After retiring from education, Bessie worked for the Fort Berthold Housing Authority at the Twin Buttes office as the Tenant Relations Field Officer. She was also a member of the Twin Buttes School Board.
After the birth of her many grandchildren, Bessie and Dusty enjoyed attending the many activities they participated in. During their marriage, Bessie and Dusty enjoyed traveling, going to casinos, and camping each summer with friends and family.
During her lifetime, Bessie enjoyed being a homemaker for her husband and sons. She was a great cook who loved cooking for her large family and many friends. Over the years, Bessie and Dusty welcomed and helped raise many of their nephews and nieces.
After the passing of her husband, Bessie enjoyed being home watching tv, going to Halliday on Monday night to play Bingo and spending time with all her family and friends who came to visit on a regular basis.
Bessie is survived her sisters, Svea (Louie) Lizor, Dodge, ND; Coya (Michael “Mickey”) Walker, Twin Buttes; daughters-in-law, Sandy Starr, Texas City, TX, and Ruth Halter, Killdeer, ND; grandchildren, Nikkita, Colton, and Tyler Starr all of Bismarck, ND, brother-in-law, Wendell “Winky” (Carolyn) Starr, Placenitia, CA; nieces, Bev Lone Bear, Melissa “Stubby” Starr, Boe Wolf, Vanessa Holen, Karissa (Juan) Diaz-Corral, Lisa (Nate) Furr, Fawnah Muma, Agnes Holen all of Twin Buttes, ND Kirsten (Darrin) Morsette, New Town, Garnette Howard, Bismarck, ND; nephews, Hank Starr, Zachariah Walker, Twin Buttes, ND, Eric (Windy) Howard, Poplar, MT, Valaire Holen, Bismarck, ND and Eugene Holen Jr, Dickinson, ND and DJ (Melissa) Buck, Oakly, CA; god children, Vincent Hostler and Chelsea Kuhlumann, many grand and great-grandchildren.
Bessie was proceeded in death by her husband, Milton “Dusty” Starr, sons, Clinton “Judge” and Johnny Starr, parents, Roy and Agnes (Medicine Stone) Holen, sisters, Melissa, Vernette and Cleo, and Linda Holen ; brothers, Eugene Sr, Hjalmer and Leighton Holen; sons-in-law, Darcy Lone Bear and Shannon Wolf; grandsons, Timothy Lone Bear and Michael Greaves, and god-daughter, Annie Eagle.
Bessie was loved by many family and friends and will be greatly missed by all.
As we her family have heavy hearts losing our matriarch, if we overlooked anybody, we are truly sorry and it was not intentional.
