MARKWARDT, Iona D. 1915 - 2011

MARKWARDT, BLAKEWELL, JURGENS, ZAPATA, HUGO, PETERS, FRONING

Posted By: Pat Ludeke (email)
Date: 1/25/2014 at 11:18:45

IONA D. MARKWARDT

Iona D. Markwardt, 95, Clear Lake, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011 at Mercy Hospital, Mason City, Iowa following hip surgery.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 1, at the Swaledale United Methodist Church, Swaledale, Iowa with the Rev. John Scherb officiating. Interment was at the Hillside Cemetery, Sheffield, Iowa. Memorials may be given to the Iona D. Markwardt Memorial Fund.

Iona was born Nov. 13, 1915 in rural Erwin, S.D., the daughter of Gilbert and Zella (Derry) Blakewell. Her family moved to Iowa in 1933 after she graduated from high school. She lived most of her remaining life in Cerro Gordo County with a few years in Franklin County, and in Minnesota. In 1937 she married Harold Markwardt and they farmed in Cerro Gordo County. To this union were born three children.

Iona enjoyed dancing, doing crossword puzzles and cryptograms and she loved reading. Iona was known for her cinnamon rolls, buns and chocolate cookies. She volunteered for many years at Opportunity Village and was a great supporter of Opportunity Village. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Swaledale.

Iona is survived by three children, Keith (Letha) Markwardt, Mason City, Roy (Patty) Markwardt, Clear Lake, and Karen Markwardt-Blakewell and friend Ruth Welscott, Sioux Falls, S.D.; nine grandchildren, Douglas (Kerstin) Markwardt, Philip (Rose) Markwardt, Scott (Marilyn) Markwardt, Judy (Dan) Oberheu, Chad Markwardt, Justin (Wendy) Markwardt, Randy (Anita) Jurgens, Lori Zapata, and Carol (Steve) Hugo; 29 great-grandchildren, Alex and Erik Markwardt, Amber (Steve) Matassa, Candace, Tonya, Heather Markwardt, Nathan, Mandy, Maggie Wendel, Mason, Carter, Gage Oberheu, Delaney and Carter Markwardt, Samantha, Derek and Taylor Markwardt, Brandi and Brad Davis, Jacob Jurgens, Duran, Elisa, Nadine, Pernell Jr. Blackfish, Kelly and Jessica Elbert, Kassidee Caunt, Laura Garres, and Daniel Hugo; eight great-great-grandchildren, Heidi Davis, Dessiah, Durnell, Duran Jr., Darrance Blackfish, Jorge Blackfish and Neriah and Jurae Hoffman-Blackfish; two sisters-in-law, Edna Peters, Rockwell, Iowa and Laura Froning, Albert Lea, Minn.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Iona was preceded in death by her parents; great-grandson, Kodi Elbert; father of her children, Harold Markwardt; granddaughter, Lonnie Jurgens; and brother, Clair (Lois) Blakewell.