Sudie (Schaer) Stark

Sudie Schaer Stark, 91, of Brenham, Texas, was called home to be with the Lord on January 6, 2024.

Born in Brenham on May 7, 1932, Sudie grew up in Chappell Hill. After graduating from Brenham High School, Sudie attended Baylor University, earning a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Education.

In high school, Sudie met her late husband, Dr. Delbert Herbert Stark, and they wed on June 4th, 1955. Together they had four sons – the late Dr. Robert Schaer Stark, Delbert (Bubba) Herbert Stark Jr., the late James John Stark, and the late Duke David Stark.

Sudie’s dedication to her community was evident throughout her life. She was an active member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. She was instrumental in the organization and growth of the Christian Day School, serving on its board for many years. A trailblazer, Sudie became the first woman board member and President of the Brenham Maifest Association when she was tapped in 1969 to serve alongside her late husband–a role they held together for 10 years. Sudie was later elected to the Maifest Hall of Fame in 1981 and continued to serve as President Emeritus until her death.

Sudie was also the first woman to serve on the Blinn Board of Trustees, appointed in 1991 to fill an unexpired term. She was later elected in 1992 and reelected in 1998. She worked for the advancement of educational excellence at Blinn College until her retirement from the board in 2004 and continued supporting the college as she was able until her passing. After her husband’s death, Sudie established the Delbert H. Stark Memorial Scholarship at Blinn College in 1986 and established an endowed chair in her late husband’s memory at the University of Texas at Austin.

Sudie further served her community through active involvement in the Brenham Elks Lodge Auxiliary, as a member of the St. Jude Hospital Board of Trustees, as a Board member of the Brenham State School Opportunity Center, as a Board member of the Farmer’s State Bank of Chappell Hill, and as chairperson of the Church council at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church where she also trained and served as a Stephen Minister.

Eventually, Sudie decided to slow things down a bit and let some other folks take the reins. In retirement, Sudie was tirelessly devoted to her six grandchildren. They were all shaped by, and are grateful for, her efforts in ensuring they had wonderful childhoods and endless opportunities. Sudie was the magic that made every Christmas morning memorable. She baked beautiful custom birthday cakes for every grandchild’s birthday, curated special photo albums of memories, and, most importantly, loved each of them fiercely.

Sudie is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Delbert Herbert Stark, her sons, Dr. Robert Schaer Stark, James John Stark, and Duke David Stark, her parents Robert and Blanche Schaer, and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Herbert Walter Stark and Sadie Marx Stark. She is survived by her son, Delbert (Bubba) Herbert Stark Jr., and his wife Janis Vanderpool Stark, and her daughter-in-law, Beth Fuller Stark. She is also survived by her six grandchildren and their spouses, Anna Katherine Stark and wife Rebecca, Julianna Christine Wanek and husband Tyler, Elizabeth Anne Stark, Mae Evelyn Stark, Meredith Stark Metaxas and husband Thanos, and Robert Schaer Stark Jr. and wife Alli, as well as numerous other beloved in-laws, great-grandchildren, cousins, and other loved ones.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 12th, 2024 at Brenham Memorial Chapel from 8am to 7pm, with family present from 5 to 7pm. Service will be held at Chappell Hill Methodist Church, Saturday, January 13th, 2024 at 2 PM and the burial will follow in Prairie Lea Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a reception at the Chappell Hill Historical Society Museum after the burial.

Pallbearers are grandsons and grandsons-in-law, Robert Stark Jr., Tyler Wanek, Thanos Metaxas, Bret Stark, Mark Goessler, and Paul Goessler.

Honorary pallbearers are Nathan Rigney, Daniel Hilton, and Theodore Wanek. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Blinn College Foundation, the Brenham Maifest Association, or any charity of your choosing that supports education or children.

Services are in the care of Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, TX 77833. 979.836.3611 Share condolences at www.brenhammemorialchapel.com.