Jewell Joan Starburg

On July 31, 1935, Jewell was born in Ramona, Kansas. She was the fourth child born to Paul Benjamin and Verla Amelia (Hoffman) Jury, Sr. Jewell’s parents were faithful followers of Jesus and taught Jewell and her siblings about the unconditional love of God. Their testimony of God’s faithfulness was displayed by sacrificial ways in everyday life. Paul, known as “Pops” taught the family to live a humble life with honesty, and in obedience to the word of God. Jewell knew from an early age that Jesus was her Lord and Savior.

In the summer of 1949, Jewell met and started dating Bob Starburg, from Abilene, KS. They continued dating while Jewell attended Chapman High School where she graduated in 1953. She and Bob went on to the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL to continue their education. They were then married in the First Baptist Church on July 11, 1955, in Abilene, KS. They returned to Moody after they were married where she furthered her education in Christian Education till the end of the spring semester in 1957. While living in Chicago, Jewell worked as a switchboard operator for the telephone company, and her cheerful voice and professionalism earned her the title of Miss Voice of Chicago in 1956.

She and Bob returned to Pittsburg, KS in the fall of 1957, where they welcomed their first child, Lynnette, into the family. Their life together continued by going back to Chicago where Bob was ordained and they began their ministry. In 1961 they moved from Chicago to Ipswich, SD and completed their family with the birth of their son Ben, in 1963. Together they shared the love of Christ, as their ministry grew, they moved from Ipswich, SD to Belle Fourche, SD in 1966, then to Herington, KS in 1973, and then in 1977 to Miles City, MT where they served until 1991. Next, God led them to Missoula, MT where they first retired in 1994. They served in many more congregations during their retirement years.

In each location, Jewell brought her many enthusiastic gifts and talents that energized those around her to serve God with much joy. Music ministry was a huge part of her life. She loved directing many children’s musicals and Bible schools, youth choirs, adult choirs and other performances at church. She also enjoyed serving as the church secretary. Jewell designed and constructed her own puppets, sharing the joy of God’s love through laughter and creativity to others everywhere they went. Bird watching was another one of Jewell’s favorite things to do. In every state they lived in or visited, she kept detailed information of her birding in a notebook including when birds arrived in the spring and when they departed in the fall. She even counted birds for Cornell University for several years when she lived on the farm.

When the family lived in Herington, Jewell taught both Lynnette and Ben to work hard daily, as they diligently distributed all the town newspapers to over 800 customers. Then in Montana, she started her own business of Starburg Windshield Repair, where she was known not only as the “pastor’s wife”, but also as the “windshield lady”.

Throughout the years God blessed Jewell and Bob allowing them to travel the world, taking their children with them on many occasions. When she could, she enjoyed helping to care for and love on each grandchild and great-grandchild. Nothing seemed to ever slow her down. Along with all her other activities, she truly enjoyed big game hunting. She tagged a 15-point trophy deer in South Dakota. In Montana she got a big horn sheep, a trophy mountain goat, antelope, elk, and many deer. She also enjoyed spending time with family, playing games, doing puzzles, boating with Jewell’s Folly, fishing, and camping to name a few.

Her family includes her children Lynnette (Ross) Boelling of Junction City, and Ben (Dianna) Starburg of McPherson; grandchildren Melissa (Eric) Dannefer, Benjamin (Amy) Boelling, Rebecca Boelling, Jaden (Alli) Starburg, and Kilynn Starburg; great grandchildren Naomi (Micah) Nelson, Claira Dannefer, Hope Dannefer, and Alexis Boelling; and her siblings Paul (Marilyn) Jury, Jr. of Chapman, and Phyllis Rowe of Abilene and many nieces and nephews.

Jewell peacefully passed from this life to her eternal life with Christ, with Lynnette and Ben by her side on Monday, September 8, 2025, at Homestead of Abilene. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob, brother Duane Jury, and sister Lila Harrison. Her family will gather with friends on Friday, September 19, 2025, from 6-8 p.m. at Yazel-Megli Funeral Homes – Herington Chapel 404 S Broadway Herington, KS 67449. Jewell’s celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the Abilene First Christian Church, 612 N Buckeye Ave, Abilene, KS 67410. Pastor Jason Koehler and Associate Pastor Eric Dannefer will lead us in remembering Jewell’s life. All are welcome to join the family for dinner following the service. Jewell will be laid to rest in Lyona Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions in Jewell’s name may be directed to Home Health & Hospice of Dickinson County or the Eisenhower Park and Rose Garden, Please sign her online guestbook and leave a memory of Jewell at www.yazelmeglifh.com.